Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov met with the Algerian Ambassador to Moscow, Toufik Jouamea, to discuss diplomatic coordination regarding the Western Sahara region. This meeting precedes the upcoming UN Security Council session concerning the status of the territory. Members of the UN Security Council are scheduled to review the extension of the MINURSO mission in Western Sahara on October 31, 2026. The discussion between Alexander Alimov and Toufik Jouamea focused on aligning the positions of Russia and Algeria ahead of this vote. Both officials evaluated the current mandate of the MINURSO mission as the international body prepares for the formal review at the end of the month.
The meeting, held in the Russian capital, served as a platform for both representatives to exchange views on the specific procedural expectations of the upcoming UN Security Council session. By synchronizing their diplomatic efforts, Alexander Alimov and Toufik Jouamea aimed to ensure that the perspectives of their respective governments are clearly articulated during the formal deliberations. The UN Security Council is scheduled to review the extension of the MINURSO mission in Western Sahara on October 31, 2026, a date that remains the focal point for the current diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
Diplomatic Coordination in Moscow
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Russia remains committed to a fair and lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict based on UN Security Council resolutions. Officials in Moscow emphasized that these established international frameworks serve as the primary foundation for any diplomatic progress in the territory. This position aligns with the ongoing discussions between Russian and Algerian representatives regarding the upcoming mandate review. The ministry showed the importance of the technical and political parameters governing the mission, noting that the mandate of MINURSO is a central topic for the UN Security Council as it prepares for the session on October 31, 2026.
Retired diplomat Mustapha Zeglach stated that Russia and Algeria share principles regarding the need for a just and lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict. According to Mustapha Zeglach, both nations maintain a consistent outlook on the diplomatic requirements for addressing the status of the region. This shared perspective informs the broader cooperation between the two countries as they prepare for the scheduled deliberations at the UN Security Council. Mustapha Zeglach pointed out that the alignment of these two nations is particularly significant given the impending deadline for the MINURSO mission extension on October 31, 2026.
Mustapha Zeglach noted that Russia and Algeria agree on the importance of maintaining the UN's central role in the settlement process without haste. He explained that both Moscow and Algiers advocate for a measured approach that prioritizes the authority of the international body over rapid or premature changes to the current status quo. This consensus reflects a mutual desire to ensure that any future developments in Western Sahara occur within the established multilateral structure. By prioritizing this structure, the diplomats hope to facilitate a stable environment ahead of the UN Security Council review on October 31, 2026.
