UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reaffirmed on Thursday, April 23, 2026, the British government's position on the Western Sahara issue, stating that Morocco's autonomy plan remains 'the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for peace' in the disputed territory. The statement was made during a joint press conference in London with her Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita.
Cooper emphasized the UK's consistent support for the United Nations-led political process, calling for a 'just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution' based on compromise. She also highlighted the importance of the autonomy plan as a framework that respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Morocco while providing for self-governance for the Sahrawi people.
The UK's position aligns with that of several other Western nations, including the United States, France, and Spain, which have similarly endorsed the Moroccan autonomy proposal as the most realistic path forward. The statement comes amid ongoing UN efforts to restart negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario Front, which have been stalled since 2019.
Morocco's autonomy plan, first presented to the UN in 2007, proposes broad self-rule for the Western Sahara region under Moroccan sovereignty. The Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the territory, has rejected the plan and continues to demand a referendum on self-determination.
