Morocco’s Western Sahara autonomy plan is supported by the UK, according to Lammy

David Lammy, Britain’s foreign minister, stated on Sunday that the UK views Morocco’s proposal for autonomy as the most practical foundation for resolving the Western Sahara crisis.

Morocco, which views the region as its own, is at odds with the Algeria-supported Polisario front, which aims to establish an independent state in the desert region, in the long-frozen conflict. After speaking with Morocco’s foreign minister, Lammy told reporters that the country’s 2007 autonomy plan remains “the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution of the dispute.”

“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 stated while visiting Rabat.

After the United States and France, Britain is now the third permanent member of the U.N. Security Council to support Morocco’s bid for Western Sahara autonomy.

The UK’s stance was praised as historic by Morocco’s foreign minister, Nasser Bourita, who said it was a part of “a momentum to speed up the solution of the conflict.” According to Bourita, UK investments in the region were being scrutinized.

The two nations inked agreements to work together on procurement, port and water infrastructure, innovation, and healthcare.

The agreements will “ensure British businesses score big on football’s biggest stage,” according to Lammy, as Morocco advocates for infrastructure investment ahead of its co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.