Staffan De Mistura rencontre des responsables sahraouis dans les camps de réfugiés
Summary of Staffan De Mistura’s Visit to Sahrawi Refugee Camps in Chahid El-Hafed
On Saturday, Staffan De Mistura, the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy for Western Sahara, visited the Sahrawi refugee camps in Chahid El-Hafed. During his visit, he engaged with a delegation of Sahrawi leaders, including Prime Minister Bouchraya Hamoudi Bayoune, members of the Sahrawi government, and Mohamed Salem Ould-Salek, the diplomatic advisor to the Presidency. Also present was Mohamed Sidi Amar, the Polisario Front’s representative to the UN and coordinator with the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).
De Mistura’s itinerary included meetings with various groups, highlighting the diverse representation of Sahrawi society. He was scheduled to meet with youth and women representatives, as well as members of the Sahrawi National Council and the Sahrawi Consultative Council. The visit’s culmination would involve formal discussions at the Sahrawi Presidency with President Brahim Ghali of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
To start his visit, De Mistura toured the "Chahid Hocine Tamek" complex, which focuses on red meat production and poultry farming. He received detailed insights from the complex’s managers and expressed interest in various agricultural projects, including aquaculture ponds, a warehouse for poultry, meat, and egg products, a Moringa production laboratory, and an ovine breeding project.
This visit highlights ongoing humanitarian and development issues faced by the Sahrawi people in the refugee camps, drawing attention to both the socio-economic conditions and the political aspirations related to the long-standing conflict over Western Sahara. De Mistura’s engagement with various segments of Sahrawi society underscores the importance of dialogue in addressing the complexities of the situation and seeking sustainable solutions for the region.
In conclusion, De Mistura’s interactions during this visit reflect the UN’s commitment to facilitating discussions on the future of Western Sahara and the plight of the Sahrawi people. His exploration of local agricultural initiatives also signals an interest in the potential for sustainable development in the camps, even amid the ongoing political struggles.
