Latest news with #Sahrawi
Roya News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Roya News
British FM says Morocco's autonomy plan for W. Sahara 'most credible' solution
British foreign minister David Lammy said on Sunday that Morocco's autonomy plan for the territory of Western Sahara was the "most credible" solution to the decades long dispute, reversing London's long-standing position. Speaking in Rabat, Lammy said Morocco's 2007 plan represented "the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution of the dispute". Britain previously backed self-determination for the former Spanish colony, which Morocco claims as an integral part of its kingdom. He urged all parties involved in the dispute to 'urgently and constructively engage in the political process led by the United Nations' to reach a solution. The statement marks a shift in the UK's position. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Britain had previously supported efforts to achieve a political solution that ensures the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita welcomed the UK's new stance, saying it would 'significantly strengthen momentum and push forward the UN-led process toward a final, mutually agreed solution based on the autonomy initiative.' Morocco views its autonomy plan — which proposes self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty — as the only viable solution to the dispute over Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony that the UN classifies as a 'non-self-governing territory.' The Algeria-backed Polisario Front continues to demand full independence. Morocco controls most of the contested territory, where the conflict has persisted for nearly 50 years. In October 2024, the UN Security Council renewed its call for Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria, and Mauritania to resume negotiations aimed at reaching a 'durable and mutually acceptable' resolution.
Middle East Eye
17 hours ago
- Business
- Middle East Eye
UK backs Morocco's Western Sahara autonomy plan in shift likely to anger Algeria
Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy has declared the UK's support for Morocco's 2007 autonomy proposal for Western Sahara, marking a significant diplomatic shift likely to deepen tensions with Algeria. During a visit to Rabat on Sunday, Lammy described the proposal as 'the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis' for resolving the decades-long dispute over the former Spanish colony, which has been at the heart of a protracted standoff between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front. 'The UK will continue to act bilaterally, including economically, regionally and internationally in line with this position to support the resolution of the conflict,' Lammy said at a press conference alongside Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. This position aligns Britain with France and the United States — the three Western permanent members of the UN Security Council — in backing Morocco's proposal, which offers limited autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty rather than full independence for the region. Bourita welcomed the UK's endorsement, calling it a 'historic' development and part of a broader diplomatic push to resolve the conflict. He noted that British investment in the disputed territory was under consideration. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The ministers also signed cooperation agreements covering healthcare, innovation, port infrastructure, water management and procurement. Lammy said the deals would ensure British firms benefit from Morocco's infrastructure drive as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. Contested territory Western Sahara, a phosphate-rich territory with valuable fishing waters, remains on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories. Morocco controls about 80 percent of the land, while the rest is held by the Polisario Front, which seeks an independent Sahrawi state. Western Sahara: France backs Morocco's claim of sovereignty and its autonomy plan Read More » The conflict began in 1975 after Spain withdrew from the territory. A war between Moroccan forces and the Polisario Front ended in 1991 with a UN-brokered ceasefire that promised a referendum on self-determination — a vote that has never taken place. Since 2020, fighting has resumed, with artillery and drone strikes reported on both sides of a fortified sand wall — known as the berm — erected by Morocco. Human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about Morocco's crackdown on pro-independence Sahrawis in areas it controls. Algeria, a staunch supporter of Sahrawi independence, cut diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021. It hosts the Polisario leadership and around 176,000 Sahrawi refugees in camps near Tindouf. Algiers has sharply criticised Western support for Morocco's plan. After France endorsed the autonomy initiative last year, Algerian officials accused Paris of backing 'a colonial fait accompli' and undermining UN efforts to decolonise the region.
Ya Biladi
5 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Spain : A Sumar draft bill to break agreements with Morocco and Israel
The Sumar group in the Spanish Parliament has introduced a draft law aimed at prohibiting all forms of agreements and cooperation between Spanish administrations and countries occupying territories illegally. The focus is particularly on Morocco—referred to as the «occupier of Western Sahara»—and Israel in relation to the occupied Palestinian territories, according to Spanish media sources. The proposal calls for banning Spanish companies from engaging in commercial, financial, or investment activities that directly or indirectly support illegal settlements in these territories. It describes such activities as a form of «plunder» against the Sahrawi and Palestinian peoples. The initiative also seeks to sever all forms of cooperation—economic, military, cultural, and more—with these countries. It requires Spanish public entities to annul any existing agreements and prohibits the establishment of diplomatic representation or the signing of international treaties related to the occupied territories. Techi Sidi, a parliamentarian of Sahrawi descent and a member of the leftist party, explained that the draft law is grounded in United Nations resolutions and rulings by the European Court of Justice, particularly on the Western Sahara issue. The proposal also addresses the Palestinian cause, urging the Spanish Socialist Party to support the measure as a means of applying economic pressure on both Morocco and Israel.
Ya Biladi
5 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Mauritanian army blocks Polisario incursion, tightens border security
The Mauritanian army is showing unwavering determination to secure its land borders against incursions by the Polisario. On Tuesday, Mauritanian soldiers prevented a group of Sahrawis traveling in vehicles from illegally entering Mauritanian territory. Armed members of the Polisario Front were present at the scene but did not intervene, a well-informed Moroccan source told Yabiladi. A media outlet affiliated with the Polisario also reported on the incident, acknowledging that a Mauritanian army patrol had intercepted «civilian Sahrawi travelers» at the border zone between Algeria, Mauritania, and the so-called «Sahrawi Republic». The same outlet added that the situation was «resolved» after the head of the Mauritanian patrol apologized to the Sahrawis—without mentioning that these «civilian travelers» were ultimately forced to return to the Tindouf camps. Last week, Mauritania closed off the Lebriga region, located near the Algerian border and adjacent to the Tindouf camps. This area in northeastern Mauritania was declared «off-limits to civilians» in an effort to contain security chaos and curb illegal activities, particularly organized smuggling, a Mauritanian military source told a media outlet in Nouakchott. In the past, the Polisario has exploited Mauritania's lax border controls with Morocco to launch projectiles at civilian targets in the Sahara, often conducting these attacks using vehicles registered in Mauritania.
Morocco World
7 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Bourita, Kenya PM Inaugurate Country's First Embassy in Rabat
Doha – Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Kenyan Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi inaugurated Kenya's first embassy in Rabat on Monday. This is set to be the country's third diplomatic mission in North Africa, after Algeria and Egypt. The celebration also marks the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. 'This inauguration opens a new chapter in our bilateral relations,' Bourita stated during the ceremony. He noted the embassy would serve as a 'bridge' for future partnership between the two nations. Mudavadi asserted the new diplomatic mission 'offers both countries the opportunity to strengthen cooperation and exchange expertise in various domains.' The Kenyan diplomat also reaffirmed his country's support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan for the Western Sahara. The diplomatic normalization process began in September 2022 when Kenyan President William Ruto signaled an end to Kenya's decades-long recognition of the fictitious 'Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic' (SADR). Kenya previously hosted the separatist Polisario Front's self-proclaimed president, Brahim Ghali, and maintained a bogus Sahrawi mission in Nairobi. Relations accelerated rapidly afterward. In March 2023, Kenya's foreign affairs secretary made the first official visit to Rabat. By December 2023, Kenyan senators formally called on their government to open an embassy in Morocco. The relationship continued to strengthen in 2024. In March, Jessica Muthoni Gakinya became Kenya's first ambassador to Morocco. She presented her credentials to Bourita on August 30 of the same year. During today's visit, the two officials signed four memorandums of understanding. These agreements cover habitat, urbanism, youth, services, trade, and diplomatic training. Bourita announced the creation of a joint cooperation commission before year's end, complemented by an economic forum uniting business leaders from both nations. 'The Moroccan-Kenyan partnership should extend to strategic sectors including phosphates, fertilizers, and renewable energy,' Bourita said. He stressed that 'Morocco considers Kenya an essential actor in Africa.' Both ministers foregrounded the importance of political consultations within international forums. These consultations aim to align viewpoints on subjects of common interest, following principles of peace preservation and respect for state sovereignty. Kenya's official stance on the Sahara issue was formalized in a joint statement: 'The Republic of Kenya considers the autonomy plan as the only sustainable approach for resolving the Sahara issue and intends to cooperate with like-minded states to promote its implementation.' The statement added that Kenya 'welcomes the growing international consensus and the momentum led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in favor of the autonomy plan presented by the Kingdom of Morocco.' Mudavadi said Kenya follows with great interest Morocco's major diplomatic initiatives. He particularly praised those 'initiated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, which deserve attention and support to achieve peaceful solutions to tensions and conflicts on the African continent.' The prime minister called the Moroccan economy 'emerging' and 'a leader on the continent.' He commended Morocco's support for African integration mechanisms like the African Continental Free Trade Area. Morocco announced it would offer electronic visas to Kenyan citizens, reciprocating Kenya's similar policy for Moroccans. Rabat also pledged support for Nairobi, the headquarters of UN Environment, to host the next international conference on plastic pollution. Tags: morocco kenyaNasser Bourita
