UN envoy pushing for Moroccan peace

UN secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the UN has a continual interest in the peacekeeping mandate in Western Sahara. Sources said Ban Ki-moon reached out to King Mohamed VI to discuss progress and developments on the mandate. He told Arabstoday that the developments are in review and UN officials are constantly searching for common ground between Morocco and Algeria. Sources said the mandate is set to be renewed with follow ups and detailed reports by UN envoys. The disputed land in Western Sahara undermines regional security in North Africa, sources said. The Western Sahara is a region of sand and Atlantic coastline situated between Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania. The land has natural resources such as phosphate and fisheries. The UN mandate was implemented after failed negotiations between Morocco and Algeria’s armed political group, Polisario Front.