Sahara: Spanish FM reaffirms backing to UN Envoy Staffan de Mistura

Spanish foreign minister José Manuel Albares met on Tuesday with UN Sahara envoy Staffan de Mistura for the fourth consecutive time since the appointment of the Italian-Swedish diplomat to the UN job in October 2021.

During the meeting held in Madrid, “I reiterated Spain’s support for his mission,” said Mr. Albares in his Twitter account without giving further details.

On Monday, the UN envoy met in Brussels with Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib amid a growing international support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and autonomy plan offered for the Sahara under its sovereignty.

The two meetings come as the UN Security Council is expected to renew the mandate of the MINURSO, which expires on 31 October. Ahead of the mandate renewal, Council members are also expected to receive a briefing on the Secretary-General’s annual report on the Sahara.

The Council will also be briefed by MINURSO Chief Alexander Ivanko and the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sahara, Staffan de Mistura.