Abdelkader Messahel and Antonio Guterres discuss the Western Sahara conflict in Mali

The UN Secretary-General and the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs met Wednesday, 30th of May, in Bamako (Mali) to discuss the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali resulting from the Algiers process.

Three years after the signing of the Algiers Agreement on May 20, 2015, the situation remains worrying in the country. Terrorist groups has been targeting MINUSMA peacekeepers and civilians. The latest attack dates back to May the 26th, when armed men killed 20 people in north-eastern Mali.

After their meeting, Antonio Guterres and Algerian Foreign Minister held a press briefing. Messahel said he had also discussed the Western Sahara issue with the UN official, reports Algerian Press Agency APS.

Messahel added that he reiterated his government's support for the efforts of his personal envoy Horst Köhler to «help conflicted parties relaunch direct negotiations».