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Rabat – United Nation Secretary General Antonio Guterres has suggested former German president Horst Köhler to become the UN Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, succeeding to Christopher Ross, who resigned in March, reported the Algerian news website TSA.
Köhler, who held the position of a German president from 2004 to 2010, is among the possible candidates to replace Ross, who was known for his inability to find an acceptable political solution to the territorial conflict between Morocco and Polisario.
Guterres, who is known for his understanding of the issue of Western Sahara and the political and diplomatic scene in North Africa, is expected to appoint the European Kohler instead of an American.
Guterres’ proposal to appoint Köhler as new UN Personal Envoy for Western Sahar came amidst an apparent reshuffling of UN departments by Guterres. The proposal should be approved by both parties, Morocco and Algerian-backed Polisario.
Economist with a Diplomatic Hat
Köhler, 74, is a member of the Christian Democratic Party of Angela Merkel. He is also an economist. He headed the German association of savings banks (DSGV). From 2000 to 2004, Kohler, oversaw the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as an Executive Director.
Much-anticipated annual report
Earlier this week, Guterres decided not to share the draft of the annual report of the UN on Western Sahara with Morocco or France, unlike during the two terms of the former UN chief Ban Ki-moon.
Based on the recommendations of the report, the 15-member body will decide whether to renew the mandate of the UN Mission in the Western Sahara, known as MINURSO. The mandate will come up for renewal on April 30, 2017.
The report is due to be submitted to the Security Council in the coming days.
