Blinken: We welcome the announcement of the new UN envoy for Western Sahara and support the efforts of the United Nations on the file

Last updated Oct 7, 2021

The appointment of Italian diplomat Staffan de Mistura as the UN special envoy for the Sahara file was welcomed by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken today, Thursday.

“I welcome the announcement of the new United Nations Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura. The United States fully supports the @UN-led political process in Western Sahara to promote a peaceful and prosperous future for the people of the region”. Blinken wrote in a tweet.

I welcome the announcement of the new United Nations Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura. The United States fully supports the @UN-led political process in Western Sahara to promote a peaceful and prosperous future for the people of the region.

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 6, 2021

Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, has named Staffan de Mistura as his personal envoy on the Sahara case, succeeding Horst Koehler, who left more than two years ago.

Last December, it was reported that former US President Donald Trump had signed a statement recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.

“Today I signed a declaration recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara,” Trump tweeted.

“Morocco’s serious and realistic autonomy proposal is the only basis for a decent and enduring solution to ensure lasting peace and prosperity!” Trump continued.