Sahara: UN-U.S. consulations to advance UN-led political process for lasting solution

U.S. Under-Secretary of State for political Affairs Victoria Nuland has “reiterated full U.S. support for intensified consultations to ensure a successful UN-led political process for the Sahara without further delay,” referring to the obstructions made by the Polisario with the support of the Algerian regime.

The U.S. stand was expressed during a meeting held lately with UN Sahara Envoy Staffan de Mistura as the UN Security Council is holding this month behind-closed doors briefings and consultations on the Sahara ahead of the renewal of the MINURSO mandate which expires on October 31.

“We remain committed to an enduring (…) solution” to the Sahara dispute, said the U.S. official in a comment posted in her X account.

According to press reports, talks between De Mistura and Nuland focused on the report submitted by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to the Council and the U.S. drafted resolution on Sahara.

The United States, the penholder on Sahara, recognized in December 2020 Morocco’s full sovereignty over its entire Sahara territory.

De Mistura’s meeting with the U.S. Under-secretary comes few days after the Security Council was briefed behind closed-doors by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for the Sahara De Mistura and by MINURSO Chief Alexander Ivanko.

The U.S.-UN consultations on the Sahara come amid a growing international support to the autonomy plan offered by Morocco under its sovereignty.

Spain, former colonizer of the Sahara, as well as Germany and many other European, African, and Arab countries all support Morocco’s territorial integrity and autonomy plan described as the “most serious, realistic and credible” solution to the Sahara regional dispute.

According to UN, De Mistura remains hopeful that a just, lasting, and political solution to the Sahara issue in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions is achievable.