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The Algerian Foreign Minister, Abdelkader Messahel, visited Moscow on Monday. There, he met with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.
Surprisingly, this visit has made headlines in the last two days and the Algerian news agency is to be blamed. Indeed, APS attributed comments on the Sahara to Lavrov, comments that he did not say.
«Russia supports direct negotiations between the two parties to Western Sahara conflict, the Kingdom of Morocco and Polisario Front», wrote the agency claiming that Lavrov said that in a press conference held jointly with Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel. However, a video broadcast by Russia Today denied implicitly the statement relayed by the APS and attributed to Lavrov.
In a statement read by the Russian diplomat before a number of journalists, Sergei Lavror said :
«On the Western Sahara conflict, we recalled the importance of respecting the agreements signed by Morocco and the Polisario. We appreciate the work done by the UN mission (MINURSO), which is composed of several Russian officers».
The Sahara conflict is not a priority for Russia
His comments lasted for 30 seconds, which explains a lot. Russia is currently more interested in the situation in Syria, Libya, Mali and the Sahel region.
It is clear that the position of the Russian Foreign Minister is reassuring for the Moroccan side, knowing that in March 2017, Moscow had rejected a Polisario delegation led by M’Hamed Khadad.
Last December, the Moroccan Foreign Ministry denounced the comments made by former Prime Minister, Abdelilah Benkira, who targeted the Russian intervention in Syria.
Recently, the newly appointed Prime Minister, Saadeddine El Othmani has allowed the Russian fishing vessels to operate in Morocco’s Atlantic waters. In October 2017, Russian Prime Minister Dimitri Medvedev paid Morocco a visit.
A few days later, Morocow interjected a Polisario delegation that was intended to participate to the World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi. Furthermore, in December 2016 Secretary of the Security Council Nikolai Patrushev met with King Mohammed VI.
