The UK’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara is long overdue
With a new UK government finally settling in following the recent General Election, the United Kingdom has an opportunity to recalibrate its foreign policy objectives. Reconsidering its stance on Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, which to date has not been recognized by successive UK governments despite key allies including the US, France, Germany, and Israel already affording such recognition, must now be seriously considered. Most recently, a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco in which the French President renewed French support for Moroccan sovereignty over disputed region, showcased the economic potential for London from such a move.
Macron, pledging "investments and sustainable support initiatives to benefit local populations" and coming on the heels of Paris and Rabat signing cooperation deals in excess of EUR 10 billion, exemplify how such recognition, if afforded, could serve as a strategic bridge between the UK and North Africa more broadly. With new Labour government underscoring its own plans for both boosting economic growth and expanding renewable energy efforts, affording recognition for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara would provide an aligned path forward.
The post-Brexit world has seen the United Kingdom hungry for opportunities to strengthen its trade network and create partnerships in sectors such as energy, logistics, and technology. The Western Sahara, in which Morocco has already made significant investments in renewable energy infrastructure alongside transportation networks, has the potential to similarly attract tremendous amounts of British investment, boost British trade, and support Britain's foreign policy ambitions in a post-Brexit world.
Looking past economic considerations, and to the questions of both security, including addressing the problem of negative Russian influence, alongside stemming illegal migration, much of which emanates from the Sahel region, a recent report by Cambridge Middle East and North Africa Forum suggests that these are issues which recognition could help mitigate with the help of a stable Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty. Indeed, Morocco’s governance of Western Sahara would see more comprehensive borders regimes, reducing illegal migration into Europe, alongside threats of terrorism, and though this, easing subsequent pressure on the UK.
The UN Security Council’s recent extension of the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) underscores the international community’s recognition of the centrality of the area to counter-terrorism efforts. In this regard, Ecuador’s delegate stated, “We think this is critical to maintaining stability in the area”, noting his own country’s role in the Security Council when the mission was initially established in April of 1991. Although the United Kingdom’s representative noted that, “This resolution reaffirms the Council's commitment to assisting the parties in achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution based on compromise”, the time has come to shift this position to a more active one supporting Moroccan sovereignty over a region that would also positively contribute to the UK’s trade, energy, and foreign policy goals.
Indeed, the Western Sahara’s vast deserts and high solar exposure have positioned it as a ideal location for solar farms alongside a range of additional, impactful renewable energy projects. These have included solar energy projects, wind energy farms such as the Aftissat and Boujdour wind farms alongside projects focused on green hydrogen and ammonia production, underscoring Morocco's commitment to expanding its renewable energy capacity within Western Sahara and already showing impressive results. Fostering such a partnership directly aligns with the new Labour Government’s energy agenda.
A change in the UK's position on the recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara is long overdue. Its current position is increasingly at odds with the stated policies of its key allies, including the US, France, Germany and Israel. With the US, under the previous Trump administration, recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, the incoming second Trump administration will certainly dedicate significant efforts to expanding cooperation surrounding the Western Sahara further, both within the context of efforts to expand the scope of the Abraham Accords and outside it. Delaying support places the UK at risk of isolating itself from allies who see more closely eye to eye with Rabat’s position of Moroccan sovereignty as beneficial to stability, trade, and security.
Ongoing geopolitical tensions in MENA have highlighted the importance of initiatives that could afford the region a chance at stability. This coupled with the very concrete potential benefit for UK strategic interests means that London cannot afford to lag behind its allies on an issue of such significance any longer. Supporting Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara is not merely a diplomatic gesture; today it is a strategic imperative.
Harry James Richer is a foreign policy analyst and served as a senior aide and economic adviser to a member of the UK Parliament. He has extensive experience in these roles having advised other members of the UK Parliament on a range of issues and led numerous national campaigns.
