Algeria Faces Isolation as Support for Morocco's Western Sahara Position Expands
Rabat – The Algerian regime's maneuvering campaign against Morocco's territorial integrity is facing a strong pushback from the international community that now rallies behind a more pragmatic approach to resolve the Western Sahara dispute.
On Sunday, the UK made a historic announcement, expressing support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible political solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara – a first from London which has for years clung to its traditional support for the UN-led political process.
The UK made its decision during Foreign Secretary David Lammy's visit to Rabat, where he met with senior officials and conveyed the country's new position.
'The UK recognises the importance of the question of Western Sahara for the Kingdom of Morocco and follows closely the current positive dynamic on this issue under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI,' the UK government announced.
The country agreed with Morocco on the urgent need to find a resolution to the long-held dispute, noting that it's time for a resolution to move the issue forward.
'Both countries support, and consider vital, the central role of the UN-led process to bring the parties together and move the issue forward to achieve a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution and reaffirm their full support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, MR. Staffan de Mistura,' the final joint statement said.
The decision was met with frustration from a few parties supporting outdated narratives, including independence and referendum claims that are propelled by separatist groups like the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria.
In the usual course of events, following international powers supporting Rabat's stance, the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs would issue a press statement condemning countries' decisions to support Morocco's territorial integrity.
On Sunday, the Algerian regime took a similar approach against the UK's new position as it does after every announcement in favor of Morocco's territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces.
'Algeria has taken note of the new position adopted by the United Kingdom regarding the issue of Western Sahara,' the Algerian regime said , adding that it regrets London's choice to support the Moroccan autonomy plan.
'In its eighteen years of existence, this plan has never been presented to the Sahrawis as a basis for negotiation, nor has it ever been taken seriously by the successive UN envoys to this post,' the Algerian regime said in its statement, describing the internationally-backed initiative as 'empty' proposal that it is 'unable' to offer a 'serious and credible solution to the Western Sahara conflict.'
Algeria's stance fully contrasts with the momentum of the current situation, in which Morocco enjoys full support from over 113 countries that describe Rabat's autonomy plan as a serious and credible political solution.
Many countries also view the autonomy initiative as the most or the only feasible political framework able to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Morocco's Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita conveyed Morocco's gratitude for the UK's support, noting that Lammy's visit to Morocco is meaningful due to a 'major development in the United Kingdom's position on the Moroccan Sahara.'
'From today onward, we will work together bilaterally, regionally, and internationally, grounding our relations in this strategic partnership,' Bourita said, describing the new milestone as 'one of great significance, if not historic.' Tags: 2007 Autonomy planalgeria and morocco and the western sahara conflict
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
2 hours ago
- Morocco World
Gambia Reaffirms Support for Morocco's Territorial Integrity
Rabat – Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met in Rabat on Tuesday with his Gambian counterpart Mamadou Tangara, with the pair pledging to strengthen bilateral relations. The meeting took place at the Moroccan ministry of foreign affairs. Tangara presented a letter to Bourita as a message from President Adama Barrow to King Mohammed VI. The two parties discussed issues of mutual importance in consultation, particularly on the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), of which Gambia currently holds a rotating presidency. King Mohammed VI is the current chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, a standing committee within OIC focused on cultural, political, social, religious and human rights in Jerusalem. Mamadou Tangara also stressed his country's 'unambiguous' support for Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara, hailing the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as the most viable path to a lasting resolution of that territorial dispute. Tangara further highlighted Morocco's major diplomatic breakthroughs in recent years, citing the UK's decision to support the Moroccan autonomy plan. In recent years Gambia and Morocco have built strong bilateral relations and cooperation, and they have worked together in many areas within economic and social development. Gambia has worked with Morocco within the African Union and built several cooperation agreements . The West African country has also recently commended the Moroccan Atlantic Ocean Access Initiative, describing Morocco in 2024 as a pioneer of South-South cooperation . Tags: BouritaGambiaMoroccoWestern sahara
Morocco World
2 hours ago
- Morocco World
France, UK Poised to Recognise Palestine at Upcoming UN Summit
Rabat – The United States has reportedly issued private warnings to the United Kingdom and France, urging them not to move forward with unilaterally recognizing the Palestinian state at an upcoming UN summit, according to an exclusive by Middle East Eye. The conference, which will be co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, is set to take place from June 17–20 in New York and will focus on efforts to revive the long-stalled two-state solution. France is reportedly planning to declare recognition of Palestinian statehood at the summit and has been actively encouraging the UK to do the same — an initiative that British officials appear increasingly open to, according to French reports. Characterized by media sources as a 'point of no return' for the two-state framework, the summit is expected to culminate in a binding roadmap, with concrete timelines for Palestinian statehood and potential punitive measures for those who obstruct its implementation. Officials within the British Foreign Office told MEE that the US has conveyed its opposition to this potential move, cautioning both nations against formal recognition and pushing them to step back from any such commitments — warnings delivered in spite of growing pressure from Arab governments and various global stakeholders calling for decisive recognition of Palestinian sovereignty. Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, insisted that Washington lacks any valid justification to intervene in a decision that lies within the sovereign rights of the UK and France. He maintained that recognizing Palestine would affirm its legitimate claim to nationhood and elevate it to equal standing in any future peace process. During preliminary consultations at the United Nations and at a June 1 meeting in Amman, Arab foreign ministers made clear that the success of the upcoming summit would hinge on formal recognition by influential global powers. A number of Arab officials condemned Israel's decision to block the high-level delegation — including representatives from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar — from meeting with Palestinian leadership in Ramallah. The delegation described Israel's obstruction as a 'blatant violation' that illustrates 'the arrogance of the Israeli government' and its continued 'disregard for international law.' This incident followed Israeli gunfire directed at Arab diplomats in the West Bank just days earlier, with Israel labelling the delegation's presence as 'provocative' and accusing the Palestinian Authority of failing to denounce the events of October 7 — while simultaneously amplifying its narrative of victimhood nearly two years into its live-streamed campaign of genocide in Gaza. Such a state would undoubtedly become a terrorist entity in the heart of the Land of Israel,' claimed an Israeli official, declaring that Israel would refuse to cooperate with what it sees as a threat to its existence. Should France and the UK proceed, they would become the first G7 members to officially recognize Palestine — a move that would significantly alter Israel's global diplomatic posture. Israel's threats Israel has already warned of serious consequences, with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer threatening annexation of parts of the West Bank in response. In line with these threats, the Israeli government recently authorized the creation of 22 new illegal settlements in the West Bank, claiming the move was designed to 'strengthen our hold on Judea and Samaria'— a euphemism that attempts to repackage ethnic cleansing and land theft as strategic sovereignty. Simultaneously, Israeli has revived its highly contentious E1 settlement plan — long denounced for undermining the territorial contiguity of a Palestinian state. The project risks severing East Jerusalem from the West Bank and severing the territory itself. Earlier in May, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed the government's intent to approve the construction of 3,412 housing units in the E1 zone in the coming months. The reactivation of the E1 plan has reignited debate in the UK about recognising Palestine, particularly given that Britain had signalled as far back as 2014 that it might do so if Israel advanced the E1 project. Frustration continues to mount in Britain and across Europe, as Israel's aggressive expansion of settlements — and its blatant defiance of international law — shatter any remaining illusions of a genuine two-state outcome. While framed as a peaceful and just breakthrough, the two-state solution is also widely controversial as it legitimizes Israel's occupation and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians since 1948. This framework offers a fragmented and non-sovereign state in only 22% of historic Palestine, and denies millions of refugees their right to return – falsely presenting Israel and Palestine as equal negotiating partners, despite the vast power imbalance and ongoing military occupation, apartheid and ethnic cleansing.
Morocco World
2 hours ago
- Morocco World
Hajj: Saudi Arabia Launches World's Largest Cooling System for Pilgrims
Rabat – Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of the world's largest cooling system at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, where pilgrims are gathering to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. More than 1.4 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, which kicked off today. Saudi authorities promised to take all necessary measures to ensure the success of the Hajj season amid scorching temperatures. The newly launched cooling system has a capacity of 155,000 refrigeration tonnes, The National reported on Tuesday. According to the report, the system is set to ensure that temperatures at the mosque remain between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius. These efforts are part of Saudi Arabia's 'comprehensive vision aimed at elevating the pilgrim experience and providing the highest levels of comfort and tranquility during ritual performance, especially given the potentially harsh weather conditions,' argued The National report. Last year, Saudi authorities announced the death of 1,3000 pilgrims due to temperatures that reached 50 degrees. The number included 20 Moroccans who died during the 2024 Hajj season. Morocco has a pilgrim quota of 34,000, with 22,400 pilgrims being monitored through official government channels and 11,600 through travel agencies. Moroccans paid at least $65,000 to perform the Hajj this season. King Mohammed VI last month addressed a message to Moroccan pilgrims, asking them to honor and represent Morocco's values. 'I therefore expect you to be ambassadors for your country and preserve this bright cultural image. Keep in mind that it is these incontrovertible values which have enabled our country to continue to enjoy security and stability, and to press ahead,' the King said.
