A senior US official travels to Morocco and Algeria to give “full support” to the UN mediation for the Sahara

2023-09-01 16:07:42

MADRID, 1 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The head of the United States Department of State for North African affairs, Josh Harris, has begun a tour of Morocco and Algeria in which, among other things, he will reaffirm Washington’s “full support” for the “political process” initiated by the UN to resolve the issue of Western Sahara.

Harris, who will also discuss “regional security” issues, according to his government, will travel to the Tindouf camps during his tour and will meet with representatives of the Polisario Front, including its secretary general, Brahim Ghali, according to the news agency. SPS.

Washington’s contacts with the parties have intensified in recent weeks and, in fact, this Thursday the Deputy Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee, and the Algerian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf, spoke by phone, albeit with the open crisis in Niger after the coup as the main item on the agenda.

Attaf traveled to Washington in August, where he was received by his counterpart, Antony Blinken. After the meeting, the Algerian minister told the Al Monitor portal that he was “very satisfied” with the position of the Joe Biden Administration since he considers that, although he has not reversed the symbolic gestures made by former President Donald Trump, his statements show that does not recognize Western Sahara as “Moroccan territory”.

Blinken also spoke in mid-May with the head of Moroccan diplomacy, Nasser Burita, to whom he advocated continuing to work to achieve “a lasting and dignified political solution for the people of Western Sahara”, stressing the role played by the UN.

JOURNEY OF THE ENVOY

The work of the United Nations is headed by the special envoy Staffan de Mistura, who this year has not yet visited the area — the last trips took place in July and September 2022–. The time that has elapsed has fueled speculation about a possible imminent tour, but the organization is silent.

From his office, sources consulted by Europa Press insist that they do not comment on possible plans until there is an official announcement and recall that, when De Mistura makes this type of contact, he later submits a report to the Security Council. His next appearance is scheduled for mid-October.

It is in any case up to the office of the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, to announce a possible tour. A Guterres spokesman, Farhan Haq, limited himself to saying at a press conference on August 16 that the envoy “is in contact with the parties” and added: “When the next trip to the region is closed, we will let you know.”