French diplomats and military officials arrived in Laayoune on Tuesday as part of a high-level visit focused on the ongoing Western Sahara issue. The delegation includes Colonel Mathieu Duthier de La Rocher, head of the United Nations division at France’s Ministry of Defense.
During their stay, the delegation is scheduled to meet with key United Nations officials, including Alexander Ivanko, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara and head of MINURSO, as well as General Fakhrul Ahsan, commander of UN peacekeeping forces in the region.
The visit will also include inspections of several MINURSO observation posts across the Sahara.
The trip comes ahead of upcoming Security Council discussions on Western Sahara, highlighting the international community’s continued engagement with the disputed territory.
French officials are expected to assess on-the-ground conditions and coordinate with UN representatives on peacekeeping and monitoring operations.
Last August, American diplomats also visited Laayoune, meeting with MINURSO officials to prepare for an October deadline at the UN executive body. The French delegation’s arrival follows this pattern of diplomatic engagement, underscoring the strategic importance of Western Sahara in ongoing international negotiations.
Observers note that such visits aim to reinforce collaboration between UN peacekeeping operations and member states while ensuring that the Security Council receives accurate, up-to-date information ahead of deliberations.
The French delegation’s engagement is likely to influence discussions at the UN on both the status of MINURSO operations and broader political solutions for the Western Sahara conflict.
sAnalysts say the coordination of military, diplomatic, and peacekeeping efforts reflects a comprehensive approach to addressing tensions in the region and supporting stability in a long-standing territorial dispute.
With Security Council debates imminent, the presence of French officials in Laayoune signals a renewed international focus on the Sahara, emphasizing the role of member states in monitoring and facilitating dialogue for a peaceful resolution.
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