UK Foreign Office Undersecretary, Hamish Falconer, met with UN Secretary-General’s envoy for Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, on Wednesday in London amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the longstanding Sahara conflict.
Highlighting the significance of the UN-led political process, Falconer tweeted that the meeting had been a “constructive discussion.”
“Finding a solution acceptable to all would significantly contribute to regional security and prosperity,” he said.
A constructive discussion today with Staffan de Mistura, the UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, on the importance of the UN-led political process.
Finding a solution agreed by all would contribute significantly to regional security and prosperity. pic.twitter.com/CMrkLiwpmF
— Hamish Falconer MP (@HFalconerMP) September 18, 2024
The talks in the UK come ahead of a new UN report on the situation in the Sahara, expected to be issued in the coming weeks.
The UN Security Council is also expected to adopt a resolution in late October 2024 to extend MINURSO’s mandate for another year.
The United Kingdom has taken a neutral position##on the Sahara conflict, supporting the UN’s efforts to mediate a peaceful and lasting solution.
Despite skepticism by a number of Labour Members of Parliament, there has been a growing recognition, primarily among Conservatives, of Morocco’s autonomy plan as a credible framework for resolving the dispute.
In August 2024, the Labour UK government recognized that Morocco’s “commercial activities in the Sahara are lawful,” a position that aligns with Morocco’s commitment to commercial development of the region.
The relationship between the UK and Morocco has strengthened considerably over the past decade. The two nations signed an Association Agreement in 2019, following Brexit, which mirrors the trade terms Morocco had with the EU.
This deal ensures the continuity of trade relations, which amounted to over USD 3.4 billion in 2023.
It also covers areas such as agriculture, fisheries, and industrial products, allowing tariff-free access to the UK market for Moroccan goods.
The UK imports goods such as phosphates, fruits, and textiles, while Morocco benefits from British expertise in sectors such as renewable energy, finance, and infrastructure development.
Morocco is seen as a key diplomatic partner for the UK in North Africa. The two nations cooperate closely on security, counterterrorism, and regional stability, particularly given Morocco’s role as a stabilizing factor in the region.