UK endorses Morocco’s autonomy plan for Moroccan Sahara

Monday 02 June 2025 - 15:35

By: Zahouani Ilham

UK endorses Morocco’s autonomy plan for Moroccan Sahara

The British press widely covered the UK government’s significant decision to back Morocco’s autonomy proposal to resolve the regional conflict surrounding its territorial integrity.

The Financial Times described this move as a major diplomatic shift, highlighting Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s public support for Morocco’s 2007 autonomy plan for Moroccan Sahara. The newspaper emphasized that this plan remains the most credible, realistic, and practical framework for achieving a lasting solution. Lammy’s statements were seen as an effective UK recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory.

The Financial Times also noted that the UK’s endorsement comes at a time when Morocco has secured strong international backing over recent years.

The Guardian focused on the UK’s commitment, as expressed by Lammy, to continue advancing bilateral economic cooperation and regional and global engagement aligned with this new stance to help resolve the dispute.

Furthermore, The Guardian pointed out that UK-Morocco relations are poised to deepen significantly, with important cooperation agreements recently signed during Lammy’s visit to Rabat.

Similarly, The Independent underscored the longstanding special ties between the two kingdoms, highlighting the signing of new cooperation agreements as a step toward enhancing their partnership.

The Daily Mail noted that the UK is now the third permanent member of the UN Security Council, after France and the US, to support Morocco’s position.

Additionally, Morocco’s substantial investments in the southern provinces have transformed the region into an attractive hub for businesses in fishing, agriculture, infrastructure, and clean energy projects, the paper reported.