Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara – Staffan de Mistura
Briefing in the context of Security Council consultations
New York, 14 April 2025
Mr. President,
When I last briefed this Council on Western Sahara six months ago, I expressed my hope that by April 2025, I would be in a position to report progress towards a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution to the conflict – a solution that also allows the people of Western Sahara to exercise their right to self-determination. It is therefore my duty to return to update you on the current situation.
I would like to begin by highlighting two very recent bilateral developments that could have significant implications for efforts to ease tensions in the region and reach a mutually acceptable outcome on Western Sahara.
On 8 April, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita visited Washington, D.C. In a statement issued by U.S. Secretary of State Ribeiro following their meeting, and in a clear affirmation of President Trump’s 2020 proclamation, the U.S. Secretary reiterated his government’s support for the “serious autonomy initiative.” He also emphasized his President’s insistence that any solution must be “mutually acceptable” – a goal the United States, according to Secretary Ribeiro, will actively work to facilitate.
Separately, in a bilateral effort that did not directly reference the Western Sahara issue, Algerian authorities hosted French Foreign Minister Stéphane Barreux on 6 April. The visit followed a phone call between President Tebboune and President Macron.
Mr. President,
I believe these two developments are significant. Diplomatic engagement in the region by two permanent members of this Council indicates renewed interest in possible openings, but also highlights existing risks. Indeed, no improvement has been seen in Algerian-Moroccan relations – quite the opposite. Such improvement is crucial to avoid the risk of regional conflict, given ongoing tensions, diplomatic disconnect, closed borders, and significantly increased arms purchases and related expenditures. These regional tensions directly affect the environment in which the UN and this Council are attempting to facilitate a political solution to the Western Sahara issue.
Specifically, I would like to highlight three additional messages conveyed to me by U.S. authorities during Minister Bourita’s recent visit.
Let us analyze these three messages together and consider whether they provide a basis for moving forward.
The first message is that autonomy must be “serious.” This aligns with my view and my request that the Moroccan autonomy initiative should be elaborated in more detail, particularly clarifying the powers that would be delegated to a genuinely autonomous entity in Western Sahara.The second message concerns the need for a “mutually acceptable solution,” reminding us that genuine negotiations between the parties must take place to reach a resolution – which also, in due course, requires a credible mechanism for self-determination.
The third and most important message is that the new U.S. administration intends to become directly engaged in facilitating a mutually agreed solution. In such a scenario, based on relevant Security Council resolutions and under the guidance of this Council and the Secretary-General, the United Nations – and myself – could support this engagement.
I must emphasize the urgency, if we are to help ease the situation in the region and simultaneously seek a resolution to the Western Sahara issue.
Mr. President,
In recent weeks, I visited Rabat, Nouakchott, Tindouf, and Algiers.
In meetings with Moroccan Foreign Minister Bourita and Polisario Secretary-General Brahim Ghali, I heard familiar concerns reiterated. The same was true in my meeting with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf.
President Ghazouani of Mauritania and Foreign Minister Marzouk continue to closely follow the fragile regional situation and reiterated their readiness to support any political progress on the Western Sahara issue in a spirit of “positive neutrality.”
Mr. President,
I would now like to briefly detail three points that I believe deserve your attention.
The first relates to the situation on the ground.
My colleague and Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Alexander Ivanko, will give a detailed briefing from the MINURSO mission’s perspective. I take this opportunity to express my support for the work being done by him and his team, despite the significant on-the-ground challenges and ongoing financial difficulties.
I hope this Council, the troop-contributing countries, and all concerned parties will continue supporting MINURSO, as it may be vital in the initial phase of any potential political solution.The second point I wish to emphasize is the ongoing humanitarian needs of refugees in the Western Sahara camps – in and around the Tindouf region.
During my visit this month, I met with colleagues from UNHCR and the World Food Programme, who expressed deep concern over the reduction of food rations, which may be completely halted by this summer in the worst-case scenario unless new funding is secured.While in Tindouf, I met with representatives of civil society and women’s organizations.
I heard many expressions of despair and frustration, especially from the younger generation of Sahrawi refugees, who are growing increasingly restless.
One young woman told me she was born in the camps and had never known another reality. She said she buried her grandparents and her parents there.
Then she told me these heartbreaking words:
“When I die, I don’t want to be buried here. I want to see my homeland. I want to be buried there.”
The emotional weight of her words brings me to the third and final point:
The full and meaningful participation of Sahrawi women in the political process that we hope will shape their people’s future.In conclusion, Mr. President, Members of the Council,
The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Western Sahara issue being placed on the UN agenda.
In my view, the next three months present an opportunity to assess how renewed engagement – especially by some Council members, including the permanent ones – could help ease regional tensions and, at the same time, launch a new roadmap toward a final resolution of the Western Sahara conflict.
In such a scenario, we would be able to provide meaningful support – and the October 2025 session could become a decisive moment for this Council.
My commitment to facilitate this process, with the Secretary-General’s approval, remains firm.
Thank you, Mr. President.
