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DIPLOMACY

Western Sahara: UK Endorses Moroccan Autonomy Plan on Western Sahara

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David Lammy, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom and Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita signed a joint communique in Rabat on Sunday.

The United Kingdom has endorsed the Moroccan Autonomy Proposal. It is viewed as the most credible basis to settle the dispute over Western Sahara. The proposal is considered viable and pragmatic.

In a landmark diplomatic meeting, the UK stated its commitment. The UK “will continue to act bilaterally, including economically, regionally, and internationally.” This action will be in line with this position to support resolution of the conflict.

This position was expressed in a Joint Communiqué. David Lammy, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, signed it in Rabat. The signing occurred on Sunday. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, also signed it.

This document highlights that the UK “follows closely the current positive dynamic on this issue.” His Majesty King Mohammed VI provides leadership in this matter. It adds that London “recognises the importance of the question of Western Sahara for the Kingdom of Morocco.” It notes that settling this regional dispute “would strengthen the stability of North Africa. It would also aid in the relaunch of the bilateral dynamic and regional integration.” 

The UK affirms, in the Joint Communiqué signed at the Foreign Ministry headquarters, that UK can consider supporting projects in the Sahara. This is notably as part of the UK Export Finance’s £5bn commitment to support new business across the country.

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It also underlines that the UK “recognises Morocco as a key gateway to Africa’s socio-economic development”. The UK reaffirms its commitment to deepening engagement with Morocco. It sees Morocco as a partner for growth across the continent.

In this document, “both countries support the central role of the UN-led process.” They also consider it vital. Additionally, they reaffirm “their full support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Mr. Staffan de Mistura.” To this end, the UK underlines that it is “ready, willing and committed to lend its active support and engagement to the Personal Envoy and the parties.”

“As a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, the United Kingdom agrees with Morocco. There is an urgent need to find a resolution to this long-held dispute. This would be in the interest of the parties,” the document notes. It adds that “the time for a resolution and to move this issue forwards is long-overdue. This action would strengthen the stability of North Africa and the relaunch of the bilateral dynamic and regional integration.”

This new position of the United Kingdom is significant. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, it aligns with the strong stances expressed by many major powers. This includes notably the United States, France, and Spain. 

This new position of the United Kingdom is significant. The UK is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. This stance reinforces the growing international momentum. The momentum is driven by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in support of the Autonomy Plan under Moroccan sovereignty. It also confirms the credibility of this initiative and the broad consensus backing it to reach a final resolution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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DIPLOMACY

Morocco Backs Gulf Security, Condemns Iranian Attacks Against Brotherly Arab States

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Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Living Abroad, Nasser Bourita

Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Living Abroad, Nasser Bourita, has reaffirmed that the security and stability of Gulf Arab states are inseparable from Morocco’s own national security.

Speaking during an extraordinary ministerial meeting of the League of Arab States held on Sunday to discuss Iran’s attacks on Arab states, Bourita stressed that Morocco views any threat to Gulf countries as a direct threat to itself.

“What harms you harms us, and what affects us affects you,” Bourita said, reiterating Morocco’s long-standing commitment to the security of Gulf nations.

The meeting, attended remotely by the Moroccan minister, was convened to address what participants described as Iran’s aggression against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Arab countries.

Bourita noted that Morocco’s position reflects the policy consistently articulated by King Mohammed VI, who has repeatedly emphasised solidarity with Gulf partners. He revealed that the Moroccan monarch recently held telephone conversations with leaders of Gulf states to express Morocco’s support for their sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

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The minister also recalled the king’s remarks during the Moroccan-Gulf Summit on April 20, 2016, where Mohammed VI declared that defending shared security among Arab nations is “not only a common duty but an indivisible one.”

During the emergency session, Bourita strongly condemned what he described as “brutal Iranian attacks” on Arab countries, calling them a blatant violation of their sovereignty and a serious threat to regional stability. Morocco, he said, stands in full solidarity with the affected states and supports any legitimate measures they deem necessary to safeguard their citizens and territories.

He further accused the Iranian regime of pursuing destabilizing policies across the region, alleging that Tehran seeks to create and support militias and groups loyal to it in order to undermine the stability and interests of neighboring countries.

Bourita urged Arab nations to strengthen unity and collective action through the League of Arab States as the most effective means of protecting regional security and safeguarding national sovereignty.

Concluding his remarks, the Moroccan foreign minister called for a unified Arab stance against actions that threaten regional stability and demanded the immediate cessation of Iranian attacks, saying such a move would open the door for diplomacy, dialogue and de-escalation in the region.

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Morocco’s King Reaffirms Solidarity with Gulf States After “Blatant Attacks”

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King Mohammed VI of Morocco

Mohammed VI has reaffirmed Morocco’s “full support and solidarity” with several Arab Gulf states following what he described as “blatant attacks” on their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a statement issued Saturday by the Royal Cabinet, the Moroccan monarch disclosed that he held separate telephone conversations with key Gulf leaders, including Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates; Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa; Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia; and Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

According to the Royal Cabinet, King Mohammed VI strongly condemned the attacks targeting the sovereignty of the “brotherly states” and reiterated Morocco’s readiness to stand by them in any legitimate measures they consider necessary to safeguard their security and ensure the safety of their citizens.

The statement underscored the “deep fraternal ties and enduring solidarity” binding Morocco to the Gulf nations, stressing that the security and stability of the Arab Gulf region are inseparable from Morocco’s own national security.

“Any infringement upon their integrity constitutes a serious and unacceptable aggression and a direct threat to regional stability,” the statement read.

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Morocco has long maintained close political, economic and security ties with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with cooperation spanning investment, energy, defence and diplomatic coordination on regional issues.

Saturday’s high-level consultations signal Rabat’s intention to reinforce those alliances at a time of heightened regional tensions, while affirming its position that threats to Gulf states are viewed as threats to broader Arab and regional stability.

The Royal Cabinet did not provide further details on the nature of the attacks referenced in the conversations, but the statement reflects Morocco’s consistent diplomatic posture of collective Arab solidarity in times of crisis.

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King Mohammed VI Orders $328 Million Aid Programme for Flood-Hit Regions

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On High Royal Instructions from Mohammed VI, the Moroccan government has rolled out a major aid and support programme valued at approximately $328 million (MAD 3 billion) to assist communities affected by exceptionally severe weather conditions over the past two months.

The extreme weather, which particularly impacted the Gharb plain and Loukkos regions, caused widespread flooding and large-scale displacement across several provinces.

According to a press release from the Office of the Head of Government, His Majesty, mindful of safeguarding citizens’ safety and improving their living conditions, directed authorities to implement an urgent and comprehensive response plan, alongside the necessary regulatory measures required in such circumstances.

In line with these instructions, the Head of Government issued a decree declaring the weather conditions a catastrophic event. The most affected communes in the provinces of Larache, Kénitra, Sidi Kacem and Sidi Slimane have officially been designated disaster areas.

The aid and support programme, equivalent to roughly $328 million, was designed following an in-depth field assessment and a detailed evaluation of the economic and social repercussions of the disaster.

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The breakdown of the package includes:

  • $85 million (MAD 775 million) for rehousing affected families, compensating for loss of income, rehabilitating damaged homes and small businesses, and reconstructing collapsed houses.
  • $25 million (MAD 225 million) in in-kind assistance and reinforced emergency interventions to meet immediate and essential needs.
  • $33 million (MAD 300 million) in targeted support for farmers and livestock breeders.
  • $186 million (MAD 1.7 billion) allocated for the rehabilitation of roads, hydro-agricultural infrastructure and basic public service networks.

The statement further emphasised that the King has instructed the government to ensure the programme is executed in an exemplary, swift and responsible manner, enabling affected citizens to return to normal living conditions as quickly as possible.

Official figures indicate that the severe weather caused flooding across more than 110,000 hectares of land and displaced nearly 188,000 people in the four affected provinces.

The large-scale intervention underscores Morocco’s commitment to rapid recovery and long-term reconstruction following one of the most significant weather-related disruptions in recent years.

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