Sahara: France regrets Horst Köhler’s resignation; renews full support to UN process

France regretted Friday the resignation of the UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy for the Sahara Horst Köhler, who explained his decision by health reasons, and reiterated its full support to the UN process.

“France has learned with regret the resignation of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara,” said the spokesperson of the French Foreign Ministry, commending “his work, his personal commitment, and his continued efforts to carry out his mission since his appointment in August 2017.”

“President Köhler has made significant progress on the issue entrusted to him, including the two round tables in Geneva that brought together Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria and Mauritania. France hopes that this dynamic, new and positive, will continue and calls on all participants to carry on this dialogue,” the spokesperson said.

“France reiterates in this regard its full support for the efforts of the Secretary-General for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution in Western Sahara, in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions,” the spokesman added.