UN Envoy ends talks with Polisario in Tindouf ahead of Security Council briefing

Staffan de Mistura, the United Nations secretary-general’s personal envoy for the Sahara, held a series of meetings Monday in the Tindouf camps as part of a new regional tour aimed at advancing consultations on the long-running dispute.

The visit marks the opening stage of a broader diplomatic mission involving discussions with parties and stakeholders connected to the conflict, as the United Nations seeks to prepare the next phase of the political process under its auspices.

During his stay in the camps, de Mistura met with Brahim Ghali, leader of the Polisario Front, as well as other senior officials and representatives of affiliated organizations, according to information released by the movement.

The talks focused on recent developments in the Sahara dossier and prospects for the U.N.-led political process. Polisario officials reiterated their position on the conflict and expressed support for de Mistura’s efforts to move the political process forward within the framework they advocate.

According to Polisario sources, discussions also addressed the state of the U.N.-sponsored negotiations and the outlook for future diplomatic engagement following consultations conducted in recent months with U.N. involvement and U.S. support.

De Mistura is seeking to develop proposals that could help revive the political process and explore possibilities for narrowing differences among the parties involved in the dispute.

The regional tour comes at a significant moment, preceding the envoy’s next briefing to the United Nations Security Council, scheduled for October. During that session, he is expected to present the findings of his consultations with regional and international actors and assess prospects for advancing negotiations.

The U.N. continues to support efforts aimed at achieving a political solution to the Sahara dispute that is realistic, practical, lasting and mutually acceptable to the parties concerned.