
By Manal Abdel Fattah
31 members of the House of Commons and Lords of the United Kingdom sent a letter to the British Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, urging him to recognize in due course the Moroccan autonomy plan as the only serious and realistic solution to the Sahara conflict.
The letter from members of the Houses of Commons and Lords said that there are few regions that represent as critical an opportunity for positive impact and mutual benefit as Morocco’s Western Sahara, noting that “amid the enormous turmoil we are witnessing globally, it has become more important than ever for the Kingdom to “The United States will strengthen its alliances with stable, like-minded countries to enhance regional stability and international security.”
The message said that Morocco represents the utmost importance among these partner countries, as it is a major strategic ally in North Africa, in addition to having crucial common values and viewpoints for both countries.
The same letter indicated that the dangerous escalations and catastrophic effects of the conflict in the Middle East have led to the intensification of the spread of terrorism and extremism, providing an opportunity for hostile militias to expand their ideological influence beyond their borders.
In addition, the growing instability in the Sahel creates a vacuum that poses a significant risk of spreading instability and malign influence, posing a threat of further fragmentation and extremism.
The letter indicated that the Moroccan Western Sahara region offers promising opportunities for progress and stability, but warned that this could be at risk if this issue is not resolved quickly and practically.
There is no room for further separation or division
The letter stressed: “There should be no room for further separation or division. On the contrary, we must strengthen Morocco’s proactive engagement in promoting regional security and stability.”
The letter explained that the Moroccan Western Sahara region has the potential to significantly enhance energy opportunities, secure supply chains, and enable access to new markets.
The letter added: “Today, the development of strategic infrastructure, such as the impressive port in Dakhla, highlights the economic and geopolitical importance of the region.
These developments not only demonstrate sustainable progress, but also demonstrate the region as a hub for innovation and international cooperation in Africa. To fully realize this potential.”
This requires support from our financial institutions,” she said, noting that this approach has been adopted by other countries, including the United States and France, recently.
The letter noted that this would be “also consistent with our trade agreement with Morocco covering Western Sahara, which the Supreme Court of Justice ruled last year to be legal.”
The letter also stated: “Some of us had the opportunity to visit Morocco, including Western Sahara, and gained valuable and eye-opening first-hand insights into the enormous potential and opportunities available to both the local community and the UK.
We have engaged with various stakeholders, including local leaders and representatives of Civil society and human rights organizations, and we gained a multi-faceted perspective on the region’s challenges and prospects.”
The Commons and Lords letter also said: “Our observations, together with the insights of respected scholars such as Professor Mark Wheeler, Chair of International Law and International Constitutional Studies at the University of Cambridge, on the international legal framework, reinforce our conviction that the UK must provide proactive support to Morocco’s self-government plan.” “, noting that this support is “in line with our international principles and obligations.”
The letter stressed that this “would not harm our position in the British Overseas Territories, and could ultimately contribute to peace in this vital region.”
The letter pointed out that the autonomy initiative proposed by Morocco to resolve the Sahara conflict is a balanced initiative that respects local traditions and democratic aspirations, in addition to being a viable path to achieving lasting peace and stability.
The letter also noted that, with the broad support of our allies in the West and more than 80 countries around the world, the initiative is being announced as the most practical and pragmatic path to stability, emphasizing that time has come to rally around this plan, which represents… Ultimately, the only realistic solution emphasizes global commitment to solving the problem.
This collective support indicates readiness among international partners to promote regional stability and prosperity, which enhances the pivotal role of the self-government initiative in enhancing regional peace efforts.
The letter addressed Minister Cameron, saying: “Today, we have the opportunity to adopt a realistic and pragmatic approach. It is essential that our leadership recognizes that following the example set by our key allies is in fact the right course of action.
Remaining neutral or trying to make transformative decisions can only perpetuate the harmful status quo.” “Which endangers the security of the region.”
The message hoped that the upcoming strategic dialogue between the United Kingdom and Morocco would be a unique occasion for the United Kingdom to redefine its role and influence in the region.
She stressed: “Morocco deserves our full and unequivocal support; it is our responsibility, and the security of the region urgently requires it.”