Talks between senior Russian diplomats and the Moroccan and Algerian ambassadors in Moscow have intensified this week. The Sahara issue, as in March, remained central to the discussions. With just a few days to go before the members of the Security Council discuss the Sahara issue behind closed doors on April 16, Algeria and Morocco are working hard to win Russia's support. The Algerian ambassador, Guennad Boumédiène, met on Monday April 8 with the Russian president's special representative for the Middle East and African countries, Russia's deputy foreign minister, Mikhail Bogdanov. The meeting focused on «current international and regional issues». «Emphasis was placed on the situation in North Africa and the Sahara-Sahel region», says Russian diplomacy. Later that day, the Algerian ambassador met with Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Vershinin. «The meeting focused on the settlement of the Western Sahara question». The two sides stressed «the importance of closer interaction between Russia and Algeria within the UN», the same source added. Morocco seeks Russian support as well On Thursday April 11, Lotfi Bouchaara, the Moroccan ambassador, was received by Mikhail Bogdanov. «Current issues linked to the strengthening of traditionally friendly relations between Russia and Morocco were discussed, including the deepening of political dialogue on issues of common interest in the Middle East and Africa», says Russian diplomacy. The Kingdom's ambassador then met Sergei Vershinin. The two sides discussed «a number of current issues in the Middle East and Africa on the agenda of the UN Security Council. Particular attention was paid to the issue of the Western Sahara settlement in the light of its forthcoming discussion in the Security Council», announced Sergei Lavrov's department. Vershinin «stressed the importance of achieving a just, lasting and mutually accepted solution to the Western Sahara issue on the basis of the relevant Security Council resolutions within the framework of procedures consistent with the principles and objectives of the UN Charter». Sergei Vershinin is considered «Mr Sahara» in the Russian Foreign Ministry. On March 11, he held consultations in Moscow with the UN Secretary-General's personal envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura. In March, Russian diplomats granted separate audiences to the Moroccan and Algerian ambassadors. The succession of meetings could pave the way for mediation by Moscow. Russia enjoys the confidence of the parties involved in this conflict. In addition, Rabat and Moscow are due to launch negotiations for the renewal of the fisheries agreement, signed on October 14, 2020 for a period of four years, including the waters of the Sahara.
