Moroccan Diplomacy Strengthens Efforts Ahead of Security Council Meeting on the Sahara

Moroccan Diplomacy Intensifies Ahead of Key UN Security Council Meeting on Western Sahara

On the eve of a closed-door United Nations Security Council meeting concerning the Western Sahara issue, scheduled for April 14, Moroccan diplomacy is particularly active across multiple fronts. In this strategic context, Lotfi Bouchaâra, the Moroccan ambassador to the Russian Federation, met in Moscow with Mikhail Bogdanov, the Russian president’s special representative for the Middle East and Africa, as well as the Deputy Foreign Minister.

This meeting, announced by Russian diplomacy, took place in a serious atmosphere, reflecting the ongoing tensions in the affected areas. The two officials discussed current regional issues, including crises in the Middle East and North Africa. They emphasized the importance of regular and structured political cooperation between Rabat and Moscow, built on mutual respect, convergence of interests, and open, sustained dialogue.

Central to their discussions were mechanisms for the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts. Both parties expressed their commitment to relying solely on public international law and UN Security Council resolutions. They reiterated that such multilateral instruments are, in their view, the only legitimate foundations for achieving a sustainable and fair de-escalation that respects state sovereignty principles.

This diplomatic engagement comes at a particularly sensitive time for Morocco, as the international community, through the United Nations, continues to closely monitor the situation in Western Sahara. The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) maintains its presence, and the mandate of this peacekeeping force has been extended until October 31, 2025, following a Security Council vote on October 30, in line with Secretary-General António Guterres’s recommendations.

Behind the diplomatic scenes, the Moroccan ambassador’s visit to Moscow marks a significant milestone in Morocco’s efforts to bolster support among influential Security Council members, approaching a major diplomatic deadline. By reaffirming the importance of a multilateral framework, Rabat and Moscow demonstrate their shared commitment to enhancing regional stability amid a backdrop of strategic realignments and geopolitical uncertainties.