In a bold and forward-looking diplomatic gesture, the United Kingdom has officially endorsed Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the definitive solution to the longstanding dispute over the Sahara. This clear, lucid, and courageous recognition marks a turning point in UK-Morocco relations, ushering in a new era of strategic cooperation built on stability, prosperity, and mutual trust.
During his official visit to Rabat, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy made history by aligning UK foreign policy with the evolving dynamics of North Africa. By signing a broad partnership agreement with Morocco, the UK has joined its most influential allies – the United States, France, and Spain – in supporting the Autonomy Plan as the only realistic, credible, and lasting basis for peace in the Moroccan Sahara.
A Strategic and Long-Awaited Recognition:
The Moroccan Autonomy Plan, submitted to the United Nations in 2007, envisions the creation of a self-governing Saharan region under Moroccan sovereignty. The plan grants extensive powers in local governance, economic development, taxation, cultural affairs, and environmental policy, while national defense and foreign relations remain under the purview of the Moroccan state. Frequently praised by the international community, this proposal is widely considered the most pragmatic alternative to a conflict that has persisted far too long and continues to fuel instability in the broader Sahel-Saharan region.
With this commitment, the UK demonstrates remarkable geopolitical foresight at a time when Africa’s strategic landscape is rapidly shifting. British support not only revitalizes UN-led peace efforts, but also sends a strong message to those – such as Algeria and the Polisario – who persist in a logic of obstruction, regional destabilization, and futile ideological posturing.
A High-Value Strategic Partnership:
Beyond the Sahara issue, this renewed momentum in UK–Morocco relations is already bearing tangible fruit. Bilateral trade has nearly doubled since 2018, reaching over £4.2 billion in 2024. Moroccan tomatoes, sardines, and berries fill UK supermarket shelves year-round without unfairly competing with British farmers. In the energy sector, major solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects are offering ambitious prospects aligned with Britain’s aspiration to become a global leader in clean energy.
The UK has also committed £5 billion through UK Export Finance to support investments in infrastructure, healthcare, digitalization, medical equipment, and anti-counterfeiting measures—further anchoring Morocco as a gateway to Africa’s future.
An Alliance Against 21st-Century Threats:
On the security front, Morocco stands as a reliable and strategic partner for the United Kingdom. Its role as a bulwark against terrorism, violent extremism, transnational crime, and foreign interference (notably from Russia and Iran) is widely acknowledged by Western capitals. Strengthening defense cooperation—particularly in the Eastern Atlantic—would be a logical and timely extension of this growing bilateral synergy.
A Centuries-Old Friendship, A Shared Future:
UK–Morocco relations date back over 800 years, with the first Moroccan ambassador arriving in London in 1600 under Queen Elizabeth I. The first trade treaty between the two nations was signed over three centuries ago. Today, this long-standing partnership enters a phase of maturity and renewal, guided by the principle of “progressive realism” advocated by David Lammy, and by a shared will to confront global challenges and seize emerging opportunities.
By acknowledging the legitimacy of Morocco’s position on the Sahara, the United Kingdom is doing more than diplomacy—it is choosing the path of peace, pragmatism, and sustainable development. It is aligning itself with a stable, modern, and forward-looking African partner—one capable of offering credible solutions to the continent’s most pressing challenges. Buoyed by growing international recognition, Morocco is asserting itself more than ever as an indispensable actor in shaping the Africa of tomorrow.
Abderrazzak Boussaid / Le7tv