Sahara: UN Chief Urges All Parties to Engage in Constructive Discussions at Geneva Meeting

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged all parties involved in the Sahara regional conflict to engage “in good faith, without preconditions and in a constructive spirit in the discussions” to be held at the Geneva meeting this December 5-6.

A statement released Tuesday by spokesman of the UN chief said the Secretary-General welcomed the decision of Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario to accept the invitation of his Personal Envoy, Horst Köhler, to participate in an initial roundtable meeting in Geneva.

Mr. Guterres also reiterated his steadfast support to his Personal Envoy and his efforts to relaunch the negotiation process in line with Security Council resolution 2440 of 31 October 2018.

This resolution urges all involved parties in the Sahara conflict to engage constructively in the Geneva talks. It also calls upon the parties to demonstrate political will in order to advance the negotiations, emphasizing the importance of an enduring political solution to this regional conflict.

The UN resolution confirms Algeria’s role as a party to the regional dispute over the Sahara and as a main stakeholder in the process aiming to find a political, realistic, practical and lasting solution to the conflict.

Morocco’s delegation to the Geneva roundtable on the Sahara includes Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita; Moroccan permanent representative to the UN Omar Hilale; President of Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region Sidi Hamdi Ould Errachid; President of Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region Ynja Khattat; and Fatima Adli, an associative actor and member of the municipal council of Smara.