In a recent letter addressed to David Cameron, the British Secretary of State, Liam Fox, a British Member of Parliament, called for a “more effective and supportive stance by the United Kingdom” regarding the Western Sahara issue. Fox emphasized that a more proactive approach and support from the United Kingdom towards Morocco’s autonomy initiative are not only essential for diplomatic relations but also crucial for peace and international cooperation.
Observers note a growing alignment between the two kingdoms in recent years, particularly after Brexit. The bilateral trade volume in 2022 reached a substantial amount of MAD 22.9 billion, marking a nearly 50% increase from MAD 15.3 billion in 2019.
Given the evolving nature of the relationship and Morocco’s assessment of its ties and partnerships, as outlined in King Mohammed VI’s speech, which includes its position on the Western Sahara issue, many observers question the factors hindering the United Kingdom from adopting a stance similar to its allies, such as the United States, France, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands. Liam Fox also raised this concern in his letter to the Foreign Secretary.
As Morocco evaluates its relationships and partnerships through the lens of the “glasses” mentioned by King Mohammed VI, the dynamics between the two countries continue to be a subject of scrutiny, prompting discussions about potential obstacles preventing the United Kingdom from aligning its position with other international allies.