Last week, Israel took a step that could – and looks likely to – mark the next step of many countries on the geopolitical chessboard. Tel Aviv recognizes Morocco from the Sahara, marking a before and after in Middle East relations. And it is precisely this fact, according to diplomatic sources consulted by the media on 7 tvscan do that Britain is the next country to recognize Moroccan authority over Western Sahara.

The country led by Rishi Sunak must have made a decision to support the planned autonomy of Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty. The same media that disclosed this information pointed to a decision issued by the London Court of Appeal in May 2022, which rejected a request to annul the association agreement between Morocco and the UK, which was struck down on 20 December 2020, as symptomatic of what can now be confirmed as support for Morocco on this issue. The request formulated by the non-governmental organization supporting the Polisario Front was rejected, demonstrating the British position which can now be enshrined.

There are other aspects to consider in this context. Britain, a strong partner of the United States, has seen how other North America’s closest allies, such as Israel, have stepped up and supported Morocco’s recognition of the Sahara, as Washington has done thanks to the Abraham Accords. At that time, even with Donald Trump in the White House, a new geopolitical scenario opened up that is now having new consequences in an important reconfiguration of relations in the region.

Great Britain, since its departure from the European Union, began to strengthen relations with new allies, Morocco being one of them. Rabat and London signed a series of economic and trade agreements intended to help mitigate the consequences that a departure from the Union could have on British coffers. One sector where they have focused their efforts is renewable energy, in which Morocco is investing heavily and intends to further consolidate its position as a regional leader.

And these links, far from stopping there, have been steadily strengthening in recent times. This is how the underwater cable laying project which aims to connect Great Britain with Morocco in the longest line of this characteristic in the world can be seen. The idea is to transfer electricity from Moroccan soil to the island, which, if things go the way they should, would mean major progress in bilateral relations between the two countries.

This was one of the many reasons that pushed the Sunak government towards predictable recognition of Morocco from the Sahara. It will be added to those already mentioned from the United States and Israel, in addition to some such as Spain, which unilaterally handed over this folder over a year ago. The United Kingdom will take an important step forward and consolidate its relationship with Morocco over one of the issues that have marked the Kingdom’s foreign policy, namely Western Sahara.

UK Coordinator: jose antonio sierra