Sahara : Staffan de Mistura meets with Polisario delegation in Brussels
Thursday in Brussels, Staffan de Mistura, the Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Western Sahara, met with a Polisario delegation led by its so-called «Minister of Foreign Affairs», Mohamed Yeslem Beïssat.
The discussions focused on «recent developments concerning the Sahrawi issue, particularly at the United Nations level, and the ongoing efforts to implement international resolutions regarding the decolonization of Western Sahara», according to the Polisario news agency on Friday. This meeting took place on the sidelines of the ministerial conference between the European Union and the African Union, in which the Polisario Front also participated.
It is noteworthy that Staffan de Mistura also met in Brussels with Mauritania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug. The Belgian capital was also the setting for a meeting between Algeria's Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf, and his Polisario counterpart.
The UN envoy is tasked with reviving the process to resolve the Western Sahara issue, which is scheduled to be reviewed by the United Nations Security Council next October.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
6 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Following border closures, Polisario sends delegation to Mauritania
«A few hours after the phone conversation between Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his Mauritanian counterpart Mohamed Ould El Ghazouani, a Polisario delegation was swiftly dispatched to Nouakchott», a well-informed source told Yabiladi. «The members of this delegation landed last night at Algiers Airport. Led by Sahrawi Parliament President Hamma Salama, accompanied by a military commander, the mission's goal is to persuade Mauritanian authorities to reverse their decision prohibiting Polisario members from illegally entering Mauritania to carry out armed attacks against Morocco, particularly from the Lebriga region near the Algerian border», the source added. Last week, the Mauritanian army declared the Lebriga area «off-limits to civilians», followed by a troop deployment along the border with Algeria. On Tuesday, May 27, Mauritanian soldiers reportedly blocked Polisario members attempting to cross into the zone, forcing them to turn back towards the Tindouf camps. The Polisario delegation is hoping to secure an audience with the Mauritanian president. In Nouakchott, they also plan to meet with political party representatives and the President of the Mauritanian Parliament, who has family ties with his Polisario counterpart. It's worth noting that following a phone call from Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President Ould El Ghazouani agreed to invite Brahim Ghali to his inauguration ceremony, scheduled for August 1, 2024, marking the start of his second term.
Morocco World
9 hours ago
- Morocco World
Israel Blocks Arab Ministers from Visiting Palestinian President in Ramallah
Rabat – Israel has refused to allow foreign ministers from five Arab countries to visit Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the city of Ramallah, located in the occupied West Bank. Israel controls all entry into the occupied territory, including its borders and airspace, and said it would not cooperate with the planned visit. An Israeli official said the meeting, which was meant to promote the creation of a Palestinian state, was 'provocative' and accused the Palestinian Authority of not condemning the October 7 attack by Hamas. 'Such a state would undoubtedly become a terrorist state in the heart of the Land of Israel. Israel will not co-operate with such moves aimed at harming it and its security,' said the official. According to reports, foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar were expected to attend the meeting. The five countries strongly condemned Israel's decision. The Jordanian foreign ministry said the ministers rejected the move to block their visit with Palestinian President Abbas. The delegation considers the move a 'blatant violation' that 'reflects the arrogance of the Israeli government' and its 'disregard for international law,' added the statement. Earlier this week, Israeli soldiers fired what they called 'warning shots' at diplomats from Arab and European countries during a visit to the West Bank. Also this week, Israel announced plans to approve 22 new settlements in the West Bank. These settlements are considered illegal under international law and are seen as a major roadblock to peace. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and France are planning to co-host a peace conference at the United Nations in June to revive talks on the two-state solution. Yet Israeli forces have in recent weeks shown no desire to halt or end their genocidal war on Gaza. According to Gaza's health ministry, the death toll in the Palestinian enclave has reached 54,381 since October 7, 2023. Gaza has become the 'hungriest place on Earth,' the UN lamented recently, warning that the entire population of 2.3 million people faces 'catastrophic hunger.' Tags: GazaIsraelPalestineWest Bank
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
EU Looks to Morocco to Rebuild Ties with Sahel States
Doha – The European Union is seeking to harness Morocco's established regional influence to restore its deteriorating relationships with Sahel countries, as evidenced by EU Special Representative João Cravinho's diplomatic visit to Rabat on Friday. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita welcomed Cravinho in high-level talks that underscored the strategic potential for coordinated initiatives between the EU and Morocco in addressing the multifaceted challenges confronting the Sahel region. 'The EU maintains a fruitful, very strong relationship with Morocco, with multiple dimensions,' Cravinho stated during his press briefing after the meeting. He stressed that partnership with Morocco represents a 'priority of great importance' for the European bloc. Morocco's friendship with AES members solidifies its strategic appeal The diplomat particularly valued Morocco's connections with Sahel countries, describing them as 'a very important source of knowledge, understanding, and identification of joint work paths for the benefit of the Sahel peoples.' Cravinho acknowledged the dual vulnerabilities affecting the Sahel region – both security and socioeconomic instability – characterizing these as substantial hurdles requiring coordinated intervention from both the EU and Morocco. 'The aim of my visit is to explore ways to deepen the relationship between the European Union and Morocco concerning the Sahel region, to achieve common objectives of peace and security for the benefit of the populations in this region,' he elaborated. Since taking office in November 2024, Cravinho has worked to rebuild EU relations with three key Sahel countries – Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso – where military juntas have assumed control. He had previously outlined this diplomatic approach during his February consultations in Niamey. The geopolitical landscape of the region has undergone profound transformation since Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger formally withdrew from ECOWAS on January 29. Following their departure, these countries have intensified the development of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), now structured as a sovereign confederation. This new entity aims to strengthen their political, economic, and security autonomy outside traditional West African frameworks, with the AES having already launched a common biometric passport, abolished telephone roaming charges, and adopted a common official anthem in May. Morocco's cordial relations with these Sahel states position it as an instrumental facilitator in Cravinho's diplomatic mission. Morocco's diplomatic weight was evident in December 2024 when King Mohammed VI's mediation led to the release of four French intelligence agents held in Burkina Faso. Following this diplomatic success, French President Emmanuel Macron personally contacted the monarch to express his gratitude for the North African country's crucial role in securing their freedom. Morocco as both an aspirational economic hub and the guardian of regional integration Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad have all endorsed the royal initiative aiming to provide Sahel states with Atlantic Ocean access. In a noteworthy diplomatic development, King Mohammed VI received the foreign ministers of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso on April 28. This high-level meeting occurred amid escalating regional tensions, particularly between these Sahel countries and Algeria. In early April, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso recalled their ambassadors from Algiers, accusing Algeria of downing a Malian drone near the Algerian border in late March. The economic aspects of Morocco's Sahel engagement are equally compelling. Currently, Moroccan exports to the four AES countries total approximately $300 million, while the overall trade potential reaches an estimated $2.23 billion – indicating a realization rate of merely 11.44%. For the EU, collaboration with Morocco offers a pragmatic avenue to re-engagement with a region where its influence has declined. Observers note that Morocco has emerged as a trusted intermediary in regional diplomacy, maintaining productive relations with both European powers and the new leadership in Sahel countries. The Dakhla-N'Djamena corridor initiative represents a key pillar in Morocco's strategy to promote economic integration and regional cohesion. Designed to go beyond a simple transport route, the project aims to establish a full-fledged economic development corridor that boosts trade and unlocks opportunities for landlocked Sahelian countries. Central to this vision is the Atlantic Port of Dakhla, expected to be operational by 2029. The megaport is projected to handle up to 35 million tons of cargo annually and offer secure Atlantic access to Sahel-Saharan countries. Amid ongoing geopolitical recalibrations across the Sahel, Morocco's measured diplomacy and growing strategic capital have made it an indispensable interlocutor – uniquely positioned to bridge European interests with Sahelian imperatives in a region fraught with volatility and competing influence. Read also: British Think Tank: Morocco Steps Up as Sahel Security Anchor Tags: Morocco and EuropeMorocco and SahelSahel countries
