"Following the footsteps of many young Algerians, a group of Sahrawi frustrated by the lack of opportunities, joined the ranks of the Maghreb branch of Al-Qaeda," the Spanish broad circulation newspaper in an article entitled "UN reinitiates its mission in the Sahara amid fears of contagion of terrorism in the Sahel."

In the same context, the author of the article states that he interviewed three former hostages of AQIM, French Françoise Lerribe, and Austrian couple, Wolfgang Ebner and Andrea Kloiber, who confirmed that "among kidnappers were Sahrawis and their Algerian leaders. "

The article, published on the occasion of the tour currently being carried out in the region by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General of for the Sahara, Christopher Ross, said that the United States has expressed concern about the increasing instability in the region because of the situation in the Sahel.

Citing diplomatic sources, the newspaper notes that the new U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, fears that "the extension of the Sahara conflict, which has lasted over 38 years, could exacerbate instability in the region and contributes to the rise of terrorist movements "rampant in the area.

"El Pais" cites, in this regard, Christopher Ross saying the situation in the Sahel region and its neighborhood "makes it more urgent than ever" to resolve the Sahara issue.

- News and events on Western Sahara issue / Corcas -