UN Envoy Visits Western Sahara to Engage with Local Stakeholders
The personal envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, arrived in El Aaiún, the region’s main city, on Monday. The city is controlled by Morocco, a detail noted by the newspaper reporting the visit. This marks his first trip since a prior visit was halted when Morocco did not grant de Mistura freedom of movement, complicating outreach efforts in the territory.
Officials describe the current mission as an opportunity to resume dialogue and to hold talks with a wide range of interested parties. The circular accompanying the envoy’s visit states the team intends to meet with representatives across the sector and to continue the consultation process before presenting findings to the Secretary-General in October. The Western Sahara question remains a focal point for UN engagement, with the aim of clarifying paths toward a peaceful and sustainable resolution.
The public statement highlights plans to deepen consultations with all involved sides so that the process can advance constructively. Western Sahara has long been a subject of international attention. Historically, it was a Spanish colony until 1975. Following that period, Morocco asserted sovereignty in a move widely referred to as the Green March. Since then, Sahrawi groups have operated in exile from Algeria under the Polisario Front, and the region has endured periods of conflict punctuated by ceasefires and negotiations. The United Nations has repeatedly emphasized self-determination as the core principle guiding its approach in this area, seeking a referendum that would allow the people of Western Sahara to determine their political status.
In this broader context, the envoy’s visit is viewed as part of ongoing international efforts to encourage inclusive conversations among all parties with a stake in Western Sahara’s future. The aim is to create a structured path forward that respects local voices, addresses humanitarian concerns, and supports a durable, peaceful outcome. Observers note that sustained engagement from the United Nations, alongside regional and international partners, remains essential to navigating decades of dispute and to building momentum toward a widely accepted resolution.