What Happened: Representatives from Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and Western Sahara are gathering in Geneva for U.N.-backed meetings to discuss the future of Western Sahara, France 24 reported Dec. 5.
Why It Matters: The preliminary talks will help gauge the resolve between Algeria and Morocco toward proceeding with additional discussions. A joint statement from both parties is not expected.
Background: The border between Morocco and Algeria has been closed since 1994, mostly due to their ongoing dispute over Western Sahara. Morocco claims sovereignty over Western Sahara while Algeria supports and backs the Polisario Front, an armed Sahrawi activist group.
Read More:
- In Morocco, Diplomacy Hints at Broader Ambition (July 23, 2016)
- Bad Blood Still Flows Between Algeria and Morocco (May 3, 2016)
- A Dormant Saharan Conflict Threatens to Awaken (April 29, 2016)
