Le président mauritanien reçoit l’envoyé personnel du SG de l’ONU pour le Sahara occidental
Summary of the Meeting Between Mauritania’s President and UN Envoy on Western Sahara
On Wednesday, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani met with Staffan de Mistura, the Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Western Sahara, in Nouakchott. The meeting aimed to discuss developments concerning the disputed territory of Western Sahara, which has been under Moroccan control since 1975.
Present at the meeting were key government officials, including Nani Ould Chrougha, who oversees the presidential cabinet, as well as presidential advisors Sidi Mohamed Ould Ghaber and Mahfoudh Ould Brahim. De Mistura is in the region as part of a tour to gather information for a report he will present to the UN Security Council, scheduled for mid-April. This report will address the ongoing situation in Western Sahara, ahead of a closed meeting on April 14 to discuss recent developments in this non-autonomous territory.
Also expected to participate in the upcoming Security Council session is Alexander Ivanko, the UN Special Representative for Western Sahara and head of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). A significant milestone was marked on October 31, 2024, when the Security Council adopted Resolution 2756, extending MINURSO’s mandate for another year, reflecting the ongoing international commitment to seek a resolution in the region.
The central issue for the UN Security Council remains finding a just, sustainable, and mutually acceptable solution that allows for the self-determination of the Sahrawi people. Human rights conditions in Western Sahara continue to be a major concern among Security Council members, particularly in light of recent reports highlighting access issues for human rights observers in the region.
In a report published on October 1, 2024, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his concerns regarding the lack of access for the UN Human Rights High Commissioner’s Office to Western Sahara. This marked the ninth consecutive year that the High Commission had been unable to conduct site visits, despite numerous official requests and the encouragement in Resolution 2703 (2023) for increased cooperation, including facilitating such visits.
Thus, the ongoing discussions and reports leading up to the UN Security Council meeting emphasize the complexities of the Western Sahara situation, highlighting the urgent need for progress towards a peaceful and equitable resolution. The meeting between President Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani and De Mistura is part of the broader international effort to address these challenges and work towards a sustainable future for the Sahrawi people.
Conclusion
The meeting between President El-Ghazouani and Staffan de Mistura is part of active diplomatic engagements seeking to resolve the long-standing issue of Western Sahara. The situation is characterized by international discussions about self-determination and human rights, revealing the complexities involved in negotiations and the need for sustained attention and action from the global community. As the April meeting of the UN Security Council approaches, these discussions continue to underscore the importance of finding a resolution that respects the rights and aspirations of the Sahrawi people.
