Alexander Ivanko, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for the Sahara and head of the MINURSO mission, on Monday received a senior U.S. State Department delegation at Laayoune’s Hassan I Airport.
According to UN sources who spoke to Hespress, it was the first visit of its kind by American peacekeeping officials to the region since the conflict began.
Talks held shortly after the arrival focused on the future of MINURSO’s mandate and the operational challenges the mission faces, particularly its ability to monitor the 1991 cease-fire. Discussions also explored possible mechanisms to reinforce UN efforts aimed at maintaining regional stability.
Diplomatic sources described the visit as a significant step in Washington’s direct involvement in the Western Sahara file, noting that the U.S. had never before deployed a specialized team from its Bureau of Peacekeeping Operations to the territory.
The mission comes as the UN Security Council prepares for its October session, when members will review MINURSO’s mandate and examine the trajectory of UN mediation.
Over recent weeks, Laayoune has hosted several delegations from Security Council member states seeking to gain first-hand insight into the political situation and conditions on the ground.
Analysts say the U.S. visit underscores growing interest in the mission’s effectiveness and its capacity to uphold stability in a sensitive region. By engaging directly with MINURSO leadership, Washington is positioning itself to help shape forthcoming debates in New York, where the extension of the mission’s mandate and the broader UN approach to the conflict will be under review.
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