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Ya Biladi
5 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Algerian media claim UK reversed its stance on Western Sahara to neutrality [Fact Check]
Days after announcing its change of position on the Western Sahara conflict, supporting Morocco's 2007 autonomy proposal as «the most practical, credible, and achievable basis for a lasting resolution», Algerian public and private media claimed that the United Kingdom had reverted to a neutral stance. Algerian media based their reports on a statement published Monday on the official UK government website titled «New UK-Moroccan partnerships to grow UK economy». The news website Algérie Nouvelle, affiliated with the national channel, published an article titled «Britain Retracts and Supports International Legitimacy to Resolve the Western Sahara Conflict». The article added that the British government clarified its position, stating: «The United Kingdom seeks to support a lasting resolution to the Western Sahara conflict that is agreed upon by the parties, supports the UN-led process, and respects the principle of self-determination». The government channel Algérie Internationale reported that «Britain reaffirms its support for UN efforts to find a lasting solution to the conflict agreed upon by both parties». Other Algerian media outlets such as El Bilad, Echorouk, Akhbar Al Watan, and Eldjazair Daily published similar articles. David Lammy says the same thing in Rabat and London However, Algerian media failed to mention the UK government's explicit announcement regarding its change of stance on the Sahara conflict. The statement specified that «The UK has chosen to endorse autonomy within the Moroccan state as the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for a mutually-agreed and lasting solution to the Western Sahara dispute, one that can deliver on our commitments to conflict resolution in the region and self-determination for the people of Western Sahara». Moreover, Britain, «as a member of the UN Security Council, and as a friend to countries across the region», seeks in its new position «to support a mutually-agreed solution to the conflict that supports the UN-led process and respects the principle of self-determination. Approaching the 50-year anniversary of the conflict, it is vital that we leverage this window of opportunity to secure a lasting solution to the dispute, and one that delivers a better future for the people of the Western Sahara». It is worth noting that this is not the first time Algeria has promoted the idea that countries have withdrawn their support for the autonomy proposal. In April 2024, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune claimed he had «forced» Spain to withdraw its support, and in early May 2025, the Algerian Foreign Ministry asserted that Ghana had also retracted its backing of the autonomy plan. A similar scenario occurred with Sierra Leone, a country that recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, in January 2024, as well as with Slovenia in May of the same year.
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
UK backs Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara in strategic shift
The United Kingdom has formally endorsed Morocco's 2007 autonomy plan for Western Sahara as the most credible path towards resolving the long-standing territorial dispute, marking a significant diplomatic development during the 5th session of the Morocco-UK Strategic Dialogue held in Rabat. In a statement delivered on Saturday, UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, David Lammy, declared that London views the Moroccan autonomy initiative as 'the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for a lasting settlement' to the Sahara conflict. The announcement, made alongside Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, was enshrined in a joint communiqué signed by both ministers. This endorsement signals a deepening of UK-Moroccan ties and aligns Britain more closely with a growing international consensus that sees Morocco's plan as a realistic path forward. The plan, first proposed by Morocco in 2007, offers the disputed territory of Western Sahara a form of self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty, while stopping short of full independence — a key sticking point with the Polisario Front, which seeks an independence referendum. The communiqué praised the 'positive momentum' initiated under the leadership of King Mohammed VI and acknowledged the centrality of the Sahara issue to Morocco's national interest. It also emphasised that a resolution to the conflict would bolster regional stability and integration across North Africa. 'The United Kingdom recognises the importance of a political solution to this issue, one that contributes to peace, stability, and development across the region,' the communiqué noted, adding that such a solution would give 'fresh impetus to regional cooperation and strengthen bilateral ties.' Lammy underscored the UK's commitment to actively support the UN-led political process, including the efforts of Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UK pledged to contribute constructively to diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a consensual political settlement acceptable to all parties. In a significant economic gesture, the UK also reiterated its intention to support Morocco's development efforts in the Saharan provinces through UK Export Finance. This includes a readiness to mobilise part of a broader £5 billion commitment for new projects throughout Morocco, reinforcing London's view of the North African kingdom as a key partner and gateway to the African continent. The UK's declaration of support adds to a series of recent recognitions of the Moroccan autonomy plan by major global and regional powers. Observers view the move as a reflection of shifting geopolitical dynamics in North Africa, where stability and development are increasingly seen as intertwined with a resolution of the decades-long Western Sahara dispute. For Rabat, the UK's position marks another diplomatic win in its campaign to garner broader international backing for its autonomy initiative — a strategy that appears to be gaining ground in multilateral forums and bilateral partnerships alike.
IOL News
7 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
UK backs Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara in strategic shift
The United Kingdom has formally endorsed Morocco's 2007 autonomy plan for Western Sahara as the most credible path towards resolving the long-standing territorial dispute, marking a significant diplomatic development during the 5th session of the Morocco-UK Strategic Dialogue held in Rabat. In a statement delivered on Saturday, UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, David Lammy, declared that London views the Moroccan autonomy initiative as 'the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for a lasting settlement' to the Sahara conflict. The announcement, made alongside Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, was enshrined in a joint communiqué signed by both ministers. This endorsement signals a deepening of UK-Moroccan ties and aligns Britain more closely with a growing international consensus that sees Morocco's plan as a realistic path forward. The plan, first proposed by Morocco in 2007, offers the disputed territory of Western Sahara a form of self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty, while stopping short of full independence — a key sticking point with the Polisario Front, which seeks an independence referendum. The communiqué praised the 'positive momentum' initiated under the leadership of King Mohammed VI and acknowledged the centrality of the Sahara issue to Morocco's national interest. It also emphasised that a resolution to the conflict would bolster regional stability and integration across North Africa. 'The United Kingdom recognises the importance of a political solution to this issue, one that contributes to peace, stability, and development across the region,' the communiqué noted, adding that such a solution would give 'fresh impetus to regional cooperation and strengthen bilateral ties.' Lammy underscored the UK's commitment to actively support the UN-led political process, including the efforts of Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UK pledged to contribute constructively to diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a consensual political settlement acceptable to all parties. In a significant economic gesture, the UK also reiterated its intention to support Morocco's development efforts in the Saharan provinces through UK Export Finance. This includes a readiness to mobilise part of a broader £5 billion commitment for new projects throughout Morocco, reinforcing London's view of the North African kingdom as a key partner and gateway to the African continent. The UK's declaration of support adds to a series of recent recognitions of the Moroccan autonomy plan by major global and regional powers. Observers view the move as a reflection of shifting geopolitical dynamics in North Africa, where stability and development are increasingly seen as intertwined with a resolution of the decades-long Western Sahara dispute. For Rabat, the UK's position marks another diplomatic win in its campaign to garner broader international backing for its autonomy initiative — a strategy that appears to be gaining ground in multilateral forums and bilateral partnerships alike.
