Russia Urges Direct Talks Between Morocco and Polisario to Resolve Western Sahara Conflict

"The crisis in Western Sahara must be resolved like any other crisis on the basis of the decisions of the Security Council," which decisions call "for direct dialogue between Morocco and the Polisario Front," said the Russian Foreign Minister in an interview with the Egyptian channel TeN. Sergei Lavrov insisted on the resumption of dialogue. "Dialogue must resume as soon as possible. Negotiations must begin and help develop consensual solutions that satisfy the interests of both parties," he added.

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The Russian Foreign Minister rules out any resumption of "round tables," with the participation of Algeria and Mauritania. He also called on Morocco and the Polisario to "make more efforts" to revive the hope of a solution, and to avoid the current stalemate from dragging on. According to Sergei Lavrov, this could lead "terrorists to try to take advantage of this difficult situation."

The Russian minister is also concerned about the withdrawal of the two parties from the ceasefire in force for 30 years. "Faced with the risks of escalation in this part of Africa, all influential states must call on the two parties to restraint and insist on political and diplomatic paths for the settlement" of the conflict, he said.