UN chief holds separate talks with Algerian, Mauritanian foreign ministers in New York

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is scheduled to hold separate meetings Monday with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf and Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

The talks come weeks before the Security Council is due to return to the Sahara in October, when members are expected to consider the Secretary-General’s latest report on MINURSO and developments in the UN-led political process.

Neither the UN nor the two governments had publicly confirmed Western Sahara as an agenda item ahead of Monday’s meetings. Algeria and Mauritania nevertheless remain participants in the UN political process, alongside Morocco and the Polisario Front, making the timing relevant to preparations for the October review.

Guterres met Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita earlier during UNGA week. The UN said their discussions covered peace and security in Africa, developments in the Middle East and cooperation between Morocco and the United Nations.

The Secretary-General also praised Morocco’s contribution to UN peacekeeping operations during the meeting.

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