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In a significant diplomatic move, the United Kingdom has officially backed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, describing it as a “serious, credible and pragmatic” solution to the long-running territorial dispute. The announcement aligns the UK with other global powers, including the United States and France, who have also voiced support for Morocco’s position. This development comes as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, and aims to include parts of Western Sahara in its hosting plans.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy made the announcement during a visit to Rabat, where he met with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. Lammy stated that the UK sees Morocco’s autonomy plan first proposed in 2007 as a viable framework for resolving the conflict, which has persisted for nearly five decades. He emphasized the importance of stability in the region and expressed support for the UN-led political process aimed at reaching a lasting solution.
The UK’s endorsement marks a turning point in British-Moroccan relations and is likely to open the door to increased cooperation in economic, energy, and infrastructure projects. One of the flagship ventures in this growing partnership is the XLinks project a massive initiative that will transport solar and wind-generated electricity from Morocco to the UK via undersea cables. The project has been praised for its ambition to supply up to 8% of Britain’s electricity demand by 2030.
Morocco, in anticipation of the 2030 World Cup, is investing heavily in developing the Western Sahara region. The government has pledged over $2 billion to double the area’s renewable energy capacity by building 1.4 gigawatts of new wind and solar infrastructure. These developments are part of a broader effort to integrate the disputed territory more firmly into Morocco’s national economy and infrastructure efforts that supporters argue will bring jobs and development to the region.
However, Morocco’s move to include Western Sahara as a host region for World Cup matches has provoked international controversy. The Polisario Front a separatist group seeking full independence for the region has denounced the plan as an attempt to legitimize Morocco’s claim to the territory. Several European lawmakers have also called on FIFA to reject Morocco’s proposal to use stadiums in Western Sahara, citing concerns over international law and human rights.
Algeria, a strong backer of the Polisario Front, has also condemned Morocco’s World Cup ambitions in Western Sahara. The Algerian government dismissed the UK-backed autonomy plan as lacking substance and warned that it would not contribute to a “credible or fair” resolution to the conflict. Algeria has long advocated for a referendum on independence a position supported by earlier United Nations resolutions.
Despite the tension, Morocco’s growing international support suggests a shift in global sentiment. The inclusion of Western Sahara in major economic and sporting initiatives like the World Cup serves a dual purpose: boosting development while reinforcing Moroccan sovereignty over the region. For its part, the United Nations continues to list Western Sahara as a “non-self-governing territory,” and the issue remains one of Africa’s most complex and unresolved disputes.
As Morocco races toward its World Cup preparations and ramps up investment in disputed territories, the UK’s support represents both a diplomatic win for Rabat and a potential new chapter in the geopolitical contest over Western Sahara. The stakes are high not just for Morocco and the Polisario, but for the entire North African region.
