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British Legislator Amplifies Calls for UK Support of Morocco's Sahara Stance

Friday 10 May 2024 - 16:30

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A prominent British parliamentarian has urged the UK government to officially recognize Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara region, echoing a growing chorus of voices within the nation's political ranks. Daniel Kawczynski, a veteran Conservative Party Member of Parliament, issued his latest appeal during a parliamentary debate on the "recognition of the Sahara as Moroccan" held this Wednesday.

"Morocco, of course, is our second oldest ally, a reliable partner, and one that seeks our support in acknowledging the Sahara as part of the kingdom," Kawczynski said during the debate, which also included lawmakers sympathetic to the Polisario Front's position.

The experienced legislator emphasized the mounting international endorsement of Morocco's claims, citing influential nations like the United States and Israel that have formally recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory. "The United States and Israel, two of our most important allies, have acknowledged Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara," he noted.

Kawczynski also referenced a growing list of countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and France, that have endorsed the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as "the most serious and credible political basis" for resolving the protracted Sahara dispute.

"We risk jeopardizing our potential with Rabat and falling behind our competitors," the MP cautioned, alluding to the stances taken by the US, Germany, and Spain on this contentious issue.

Underscoring the significance of the Sahara issue for Morocco, Kawczynski lauded the kingdom's efforts to boost socio-economic development in the region.

This isn't the first time Kawczynski has forcefully advocated for official UK recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. He and several parliamentary colleagues have persistently called upon Britain to join the ranks of nations supporting Morocco's territorial integrity, framing it as crucial for safeguarding bilateral ties.

During a visit to Rabat in January, the MP revealed that he had raised queries within the UK Parliament regarding when his country would acknowledge the Sahara as an integral part of Morocco.

Echoing Kawczynski's sentiments, Simon Mayall, a retired British Army officer and former Middle East adviser at the Ministry of Defense, has joined the growing group of politicians emphasizing the importance of an official UK embrace of Morocco's position. Commenting recently on the Moroccan autonomy initiative, Mayall described it as "the only realistic, credible, forward-looking plan for the region that is on the table."

Another vocal advocate for UK recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara is Liam Fox, a fellow Conservative MP. In January, Fox stressed that his country must offer its "full support to Morocco and recognize its sovereignty over the Sahara," arguing that such a move would further strengthen cooperation and ties between the two nations.

While the UK government has thus far refrained from taking an unequivocal stance, it has expressed appreciation for Morocco's efforts toward finding a lasting, politically negotiated solution to the dispute. Responding to criticism over commercial activities between the UK and Morocco in the southern provinces, the British government has emphasized that such endeavors are, in fact, legal, provided they respect the interests of the Sahrawi people.

As the international landscape continues to evolve on this contentious issue, voices within the UK's political establishment seem poised to sustain their calls for Britain to decisively align itself with Morocco's position on the Sahara.