Sahara: Britain supports Morocco’s efforts for a political solution

The ambassador of the United Kingdom to Rabat, Simon Martin, has reiterated his country’s firm support for Morocco’s efforts, through the autonomy plan, to find a solution to the Sahara conflict, artificially created by the military regime of Algiers.

“By supporting United Nations resolutions for 15 years, Great Britain has recognized Morocco’s serious and credible efforts to move towards a solution and resolve the Sahara conflict which has lasted far too long,” said the British diplomat, in a statement to the news outlet Le360, on the eve of the festivities marking the platinum jubilee, or 70 years of reign, of Queen Elizabeth II.

The diplomat recalled that his country welcomed the appointment of the personal envoy for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, and assured that the British government will “continue with the other parties to lead efforts to reach a solution to this conflict”.

Touching on Moroccan-British cooperation ties, Simon Martin described these ties as “excellent” before he spoke at length about the association agreement signed by the two countries after the United Kingdom left the European Union. This is the first agreement of its kind that the United Kingdom has signed after the Brexit, he recalled.

“In 2021, trade between our two countries reached two billion sterling pounds (25 billion dirhams), an increase of 30% compared to 2020,” he added.

Simon Martin also mentioned the electricity connection project between Morocco and his country, describing it as “very important”, because it would reduce dependence on hydrocarbons.

The British company Xlinks will build a 10.5 GW power plant (7 GW for solar, and 3.5 GW for wind) in Morocco. The 3,800 km transmission network will consist of four cables, the first of which will be operational in early 2027.