The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its position that Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara represents 'the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for peace' in the disputed territory, according to a statement from the UK Foreign Office on April 24, 2026.
The statement, issued during a visit by a UK diplomatic delegation to Rabat, underscores London's consistent support for the Moroccan initiative since 2020. The UK has previously described the plan as 'serious, realistic and credible' in official communications.
The Western Sahara dispute remains a central issue in North African geopolitics, with Morocco proposing autonomy under its sovereignty while the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, calls for a UN-supervised referendum on self-determination. The UK's position aligns with that of several Western nations, including the United States and Spain, which have endorsed the autonomy plan as a viable solution.
No new developments or changes in UK policy were announced; the statement reiterates existing diplomatic positions. The UN continues to facilitate negotiations between the parties, with Staffan de Mistura serving as the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara.
