The UNSG voiced his "sincere hope to see progress achieved" in the Sahara issue with the appointment of Christopher Ross as a new special envoy. He said new negotiations will be shortly launched, but specified neither the date, nor the venue of these upcoming negotiations.

    Ross, a seasoned diplomat, is planning to tour the countries of the region and will later on visit Addis-Ababa for consultations on the Sahara issue with the Chairman of the African Union Commission (AUC), Jean Ping, the UNSG said in a press conference held on the sidelines of the AU 12th summit under way in Addis Abeba.

    Ban Ki-moon said he had initiated earnest discussions with the parties concerned, and voiced hope to see substantial progress achieved.

Source: MAP
News and events on Werstern Sahara issue/ Corcas