British Lords member urges full recognition of Morocco's Sahara

Lord Daniel Hannan, a member of the British House of Lords, made a strong statement on Saturday, calling for full recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara and a significant strengthening of commercial relations between the two countries.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Lord Hannan, who also heads the Institute for Free Trade, stressed the need to «not only remove tariffs, but also establish a digital corridor between Tangier and our ports» to streamline paperwork and attract investment. He further emphasized the importance of aligning British trade policy with full recognition of Morocco's Saharan sovereignty.

Highlighting the country's infrastructure and economic progress, Lord Hannan noted that Tangier Med is the largest port not just in Africa but also in the Mediterranean, and that a substantial automotive industry has flourished around it.

He cited the development of an aeronautical center in Casablanca and a high-speed rail network connecting major cities, while also praising Morocco's advantageous position for harnessing wind and solar energy, including its potential for green hydrogen production.

Emphasizing Morocco's diversification efforts, Lord Hannan commended the Institute for Free Trade's proposed initiatives to liberalize trade between the two nations. He argued that such a policy would enable the UK to fully leverage the opportunities presented by Brexit.

This call for deeper engagement with Morocco follows similar advocacy from MP Liam Fox. In a recent letter to Foreign Minister David Cameron, Fox urged the UK to offer full support and recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. He stressed the importance of a «more proactive and supportive position» from the UK on this vital issue.