The United Nations has confirmed that Staffan de Mistura remains the personal envoy of the secretary-general for the Sahara, despite developments following the non-renewal of the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and the start of its withdrawal process.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Thursday that de Mistura continues to carry out his duties from his office in Brussels, noting that the envoy was appointed by the secretary-general and remains in his position.
Dujarric made the remarks during a press briefing in response to a question about de Mistura’s professional status and whether he had continued working following the developments affecting MINURSO.
In a follow-up question, a journalist asked what role de Mistura would play in the next phase, given that his main responsibility concerns the political process on the Sahara, while the UN mission tasked with monitoring the ceasefire has entered the process of winding down after the Security Council did not renew its mandate.
The journalist also questioned whether the envoy’s continued presence remained justified under the new circumstances and whether his mandate would end with the departure of the current secretary-general.
Dujarric stressed that the United Nations remained committed to supporting the parties in their efforts to reach a mutually acceptable political solution, should they wish to pursue one. However, he did not offer assurances about de Mistura’s longer-term future in the role.
The spokesperson added that the identity of the next UN secretary-general had not yet been determined and that decisions on senior appointments would depend on the choices made by the incoming leadership.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.