UK-Morocco deal ushers in a “new era” of relations. Apparently.

In what both governments have touted as a “new era” in their relations, the UK and Morocco have unveiled the first details of their sweeping partnership which could restructure the latter’s economic landscape.

On June 1, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy met his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita for the 5th session of the UK–Morocco Strategic Dialogue reports Le Desk on June 3. By the end of the day, London had entirely redefined the scope of its relationship with Rabat, on trade, infrastructure, and security.

In a joint communiqué, the two kingdoms emphasized a “deepening of shared priorities” manifested in a three-year plan to integrate British firms more deeply into Morocco’s public sector. What made headlines, though, was Lammy’s claim that the UK “considers Morocco’s autonomy proposal…a viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution of the dispute.”

Formerly a Spanish colony, Western Sahara was annexed by Morocco in 1975. Since then, it has been the subject of dispute between Morocco, which claims sovereignty over the territory, and its Indigenous Sahrawi people, led by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front. In 2020, 29 years of ceasefire was broken, bringing both groups to the frontlines once again.

Lammy’s bold assertion seemingly breaks from the UK’s decades-long commitment to neutrality on the Sahara issue, simply supporting the UN process and echoing lukewarm sentiments of “self-determination”. But in the same statement, he maintained that the UK still “supports the efforts of the UN” as it continues to support a negotiated solution including the possibility of a referendum as called for by the 1991 ceasefire.

While Media coverage has pushed a new paradigm, as the UK “backs Morocco’s plan,” its formal stance remains unchanged with the official government website still calling for “a lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.”

The venture will reportedly unlock $41.9 billion in public procurement opportunities for UK firms across Morocco. Among the flurry of new projects, British companies are expected to play a central role in Morocco’s “Airports 2030” modernization program, including a new terminal at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport, budgeted at £1.2 billion.

The UK has also set aside £2 billion to support Morocco’s national health reform agenda, including a 250-bed hospital project in Casablanca which will be funded through NHS-linked investment channels.

The partnership, Lammy said, will “ensure British businesses score big on football’s biggest stage,” referring to the FIFA World Cup Morocco will co-host in 2030. In a separate memorandum with Moroccan Budget Minister Delegate Fouzi Lekjaa, the UK was given the lead in development projects of host cities like Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech.

“Since the Sydney Olympics in 2000, UK expertise has been instrumental in nearly every major global sporting event. Today’s deal extends that legacy into North Africa” said the UK foreign office.

A £200 million contract was also established to promote British involvement in Morocco’s sustainable water systems and green port technologies. Importantly the deal exempts the UK from Morocco’s national preferences, giving British firms parity with domestic firms in bidding for public tenders.

While Lammy emphasized that the deal was anchored by a relationship between the two kingdoms that has lasted more than 800 years, the mutual benefits are clear. After years of post-Brexit recalibration, the UK has gained access to a key African market that could serve as a gateway to the rest of North Africa, where access to infrastructure funding and expertise remains a limiting factor in COVID-19 recovery.

Meanwhile, Morocco’s autonomy campaign has gained momentum, prompting several articles chronicling “How Moroccan diplomacy seduced Westminster” to “switch the United Kingdom on the Sahara issue.”

Algeria has expressed remorse over Britain’s move, calling it a reversal of decades of support for self-determination in Western Sahara.

Le Desk/ Maghrebi