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The British government has rebuffed a proposal from Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle to establish a UN council overseeing Western Sahara's natural resources. In a written response, the government led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak clarified that they «do not consider commercial activity to be illegal in Western Sahara, providing it respects the interests of the Sahrawi people».
«The UK continues to support the UN-led efforts and the work of Staffan de Mistura as Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to Western Sahara and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process and monitor progress», wrote Under Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office David Rutley.
This follows the May 2023 decision by the London Court of Appeal, upholding a previous ruling that rejected an application by the Polisario-linked NGO Western Sahara Resources Watch.
The NGO sought to annul the association agreement between Morocco and the UK, signed in October 2019, which includes products from the Sahara. The court's verdict is seen by some as a de facto recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the territory.
