Morocco is a vital ally in the fight against terrorism, extremism, organized crime, and illegal migration across North and sub-Saharan Africa, according to a new report published in The Telegraph by retired British Army officer Simon Mayall.
The report, titled “Political tides in Africa are shifting: Britain must be clear who its friends are,” argues that Morocco stands as a “bulwark” against destabilizing forces, including proxies of Russia and Iran.
Mayall, a former Middle East adviser at the UK Ministry of Defence, called on the British government to deepen its support for Rabat’s autonomy plan for the Sahara—a move he says would boost regional security and open major economic opportunities for British firms.
“The autonomy plan promotes security, stability, and prosperity,” Mayall wrote, adding that it offers real hope to populations affected by long-standing conflicts, including refugees in the Tindouf camps in Algeria. He warned that continued opposition to the plan only serves the interests of actors invested in maintaining the political deadlock, without offering tangible benefits to the region’s people.
Mayall stressed that British support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative is both a strategic and moral imperative. “This is not only the politically and diplomatically right thing to do, but it also opens up opportunities for UK companies,” he said.
Trade between the UK and Morocco has surged in recent years, nearly doubling to £4.2 billion by 2024. Morocco is already a key supplier of produce—such as tomatoes, sardines, and soft fruits—to British supermarkets, without creating competition for domestic producers. Mayall also pointed to Morocco’s investments in green energy, healthcare, and infrastructure as promising avenues for UK business involvement.
The retired officer emphasized that the UK’s alignment with Morocco’s autonomy plan is in step with the policies of key Western allies, including the United States, France, and Spain. He noted that London’s recent recognition of the plan under a new bilateral partnership could help shift international consensus at the UN toward a lasting resolution of the Sahara conflict.
Originally submitted to the United Nations in 2007, the Moroccan autonomy plan envisions a self-governed region within the Kingdom, with control over key local sectors such as taxation, infrastructure, and cultural affairs. Morocco would retain authority over defense and foreign policy.
Mayall concluded that the time has come for the UK to clearly identify its trusted partners on the African continent, arguing that “progressive realism” in foreign policy requires standing with nations like Morocco—those offering stability, opportunity, and credible paths to peace.
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Ex-British Army Officer: Morocco a key ally against terrorism, autonomy plan offers hope for Sahara
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