Sahara: Norway emerges as a potential host for the next round of talks

Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, Norway’s Deputy Foreign Minister, convened a significant meeting in Oslo with Massad Boulos, the U.S. President Donald Trump’s special adviser for African and Arab affairs, and Staffan de Mistura, the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy for Western Sahara.

This meeting, occurring during the Oslo Peace Forum, was focused «on the issue of Western Sahara», as expressed by Norway’s second-ranking diplomat in his statement. He emphasized, «Norway remains committed to supporting efforts to find a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution to this conflict».

Following the recent discussions on Western Sahara, held on February 23 and 24 in Washington, Oslo has been proposed as a potential location for future negotiations among the four parties involved. This option receives support from the Algerian and Polisario delegations, who are eager to distance themselves from any pressure exerted by the Trump administration.

Staffan de Mistura previously met with Norway's Foreign Minister in Oslo in December 2025. At that time, Norway’s top diplomat expressed on social media, «Norway supports Mr. de Mistura’s efforts to unite the parties and achieve a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution».

Norway, with the backing of the U.S., played host to the negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis that culminated in the signing of the Oslo Accords at the White House on September 13, 1993.