Algeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, Receives UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura
BY: Hana Saada
Algiers, September 14, 2023 – In a significant diplomatic development, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad, Ahmed Attaf, hosted the Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, during his working visit to Algeria on Wednesday, according to an official press release from the ministry.
Ahmed Attaf, in his meeting with Mr. de Mistura, reaffirmed Algeria’s unwavering commitment to supporting the tireless efforts undertaken by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his Personal Envoy. He expressed heartfelt optimism that these diplomatic endeavors would culminate in the rekindling of direct negotiations between the principal parties involved in the Western Sahara conflict, namely the Kingdom of Morocco and the Polisario Front. These negotiations are to be held “without preconditions and in good faith, with the ultimate goal of achieving a political resolution that safeguards the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination,” as stipulated in the press release.
Furthermore, Minister Attaf underscored the significance of the Security Council’ steadfast position on the Western Sahara question, classifying it as a matter of decolonization. He emphasized that the resolution of this matter falls squarely within the framework of one of the United Nations’ fundamental principles – the right of peoples to self-determination.
It is worth noting that Staffan de Mistura’s visit to Algeria is part of a broader regional tour that he embarked upon at the beginning of September. During this diplomatic mission, Mr. de Mistura began by visiting the occupied Sahrawi territories, gaining firsthand insights into the situation on the ground. Subsequently, he held separate consultations with the two primary stakeholders in the Western Sahara conflict – the Kingdom of Morocco and the Polisario Front.
As he concludes his visit to Algeria, Staffan de Mistura is set to continue his diplomatic journey, with scheduled visits to Mauritania. Both Algeria and Mauritania serve as observers in the ongoing peace process facilitated by the United Nations, a testament to the international community’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict.
The meeting between Minister Ahmed Attaf and UN Envoy Staffan de Mistura stands as a significant milestone in the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the Western Sahara conflict. It underscores the crucial role that Algeria plays in the region and its commitment to supporting the quest for a just and peaceful resolution, in line with the principles of the United Nations.
