French diplomatic delegation holds talks with MINURSO officials in Laayoune

A high-level French diplomatic delegation, including political and military officials from the French Embassy in Rabat, held extensive discussions on Thursday with officials from the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).

A UN source, speaking to Hespress AR, confirmed that the visit reflects France’s ongoing interest in developments surrounding the Sahara dispute, particularly regarding MINURSO’s mandate, field conditions, and the mission’s efforts to maintain stability in the region.

According to the source, the French delegation is set to receive a comprehensive briefing on MINURSO’s operations, the challenges it faces, and its role in monitoring the ceasefire agreement signed in 1991 under UN supervision.

The discussions are expected to address key operational challenges facing MINURSO, particularly east of the security wall, where tensions have escalated following the Polisario Front’s withdrawal from the ceasefire agreement after the Guerguerat incident in November 2020.

In parallel, another delegation from the French Embassy, specializing in strategic partnerships, is scheduled to hold technical meetings with MINURSO on Friday. This group includes the Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Morocco, the official in charge of strategic partnerships, and the head of the financial institutions and local authorities department.

These diplomatic engagements come as France intensifies its monitoring of the Sahara issue, just weeks before the UN Security Council’s anticipated session in April. During this meeting, Council members are expected to hear briefings from UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, and MINURSO Chief Alexander Ivanko.

The diplomatic activity underscores France’s continued interest in the evolving situation in Sahara, as MINURSO navigates complex political and security challenges in fulfilling its mandate.