Bourita: UK endorsement of Morocco’s Western Sahara plan boosts momentum for UN support

Morocco’s proposal to grant Western Sahara autonomy under its sovereignty continues to gain international backing, though the United Nations still considers the region a disputed territory and favors a referendum to resolve its status.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita expressed optimism that the UK’s recent support for the autonomy plan could influence the UN to reconsider its stance, according to Moroccan media.

"Four countries within the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary-General on the Sahara have now embraced this momentum and expressed support for the Autonomy Initiative—namely France, the United States, Spain, and now the United Kingdom,” Bourita said at a joint press conference with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

He highlighted the UK’s role as a credible and influential actor on both European and global stages, noting its endorsement adds weight to Morocco’s initiative.

Bourita asserted that with growing international consensus, the UN and broader international community now have a tangible opportunity to resolve the decades-long conflict through Morocco’s proposed autonomy framework.