British MP, Think Tank for Morocco's Autonomy Plan for Sahara

Morocco's autonomy plan for the Sahara offers a "realistic, sustainable, and credible solution" that the United Kingdom should "fully support," the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), the world's oldest think tank dedicated to Defense and Security, advised on Wednesday.

The Moroccan initiative remains "the only realistic, credible and forward-looking plan for the region," reported MAP, the state-owned news agency of the Kingdom of Morocco, quoting RUSI.

The autonomy plan illustrates "a commitment to a promising political and economic future for the population, with respect for the rule of law, democratic procedures and sustained development," the think tank explained in an analysis by Sir Simon Mayall.

According to the retired British Army officer and Middle East Adviser at the Ministry of Defence, the "resolution of the Sahara issue would contribute to the security, stability and prosperity of the whole region, and in doing so would help combat extremism."

Morocco "has made clear its commitment to the region over several decades of significant investment, constructing extensive economic and communications infrastructure and by generating thousands of jobs," wrote the author of the analysis.

Referring to the progress achieved in the Kingdom's Southern Provinces, Sir Simon Mayall stressed that the latter were among "the most developed regions in Morocco," with a turnout of over 66% during the last elections in September 2021.

Key UK allies including France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and the United States have expressed their support for Morocco's autonomy plan, seeing it as "the best way to bring a future of peace and prosperity to the region and an end to the dispute," he pointed out, adding that the majority of Arab states, as well as numerous African and Caribbean countries, take the same position.

Sir Simon Mayall also deplored the squalid living conditions of the populations sequestered in the Tindouf camps, pointing out that they are almost totally dependent on international humanitarian aid.

He also recalled that the UK and Morocco share common ground in a commitment to the rule of law, respect for international human rights, religious tolerance and pluralism, sustainable and green development agendas.

Meanwhile, British Conservative MP Daniel Kawczynski, on Tuesday in Rabat, urged the UK government to recognize Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara, reported MAP.

"I have asked many questions within our own parliament [...] as to when we will ultimately acknowledge Moroccan Sahara as being part of the Kingdom of Morocco," Kawczynski told the press following talks between his delegation of British MPs and Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita.

The British official also highlighted the privileged status that Morocco enjoys as an "extremely important ally" of the United Kingdom.

He also reiterated the importance that the United Kingdom attaches to its partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco, praising the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to strengthen this partnership.

This is not the first time a British MP calls for the full recognition of the Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. Last Saturday, British House of Lords member Daniel Hannan also called for recognizing Morocco's "full sovereignty" over its Sahara and strengthening trade relations between the two Kingdoms.

For his part, British MP Liam Fox had sent a letter to Foreign Secretary David Cameron this January, emphasizing the importance of "a more proactive and favorable position from the United Kingdom" regarding the issue of the Moroccan Sahara.