United Nations envoy Staffan de Mistura is preparing to visit the Sahara region for consultations with parties involved in the long-running dispute, according to the office of the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy.

The planned trip is part of ongoing efforts to advance the UN-led political process aimed at resolving the conflict.

Christopher Thornton, senior political adviser to de Mistura, confirmed that the envoy will travel to the region to hold consultations with all concerned parties.

Thornton said the mission falls within the framework of the political process mandated by the UN Security Council under Resolution 2797 and is being facilitated jointly by the United Nations and the United States.

The comments came amid speculation surrounding a possible visit by de Mistura to the Tindouf camps in southwestern Algeria, where thousands of Sahrawi refugees live.

According to the envoy’s office, de Mistura remains in regular contact with regional stakeholders and international actors as part of efforts to move the political process forward. Thornton highlighted ongoing coordination with the United States, whose involvement in diplomatic efforts related to the dispute has become increasingly visible.

The upcoming trip is part of a broader series of consultations conducted by the UN envoy with the parties to the conflict and international partners in an effort to create conditions conducive to restarting the political process under UN auspices.

The visit will precede de Mistura’s next briefing to the UN Security Council, scheduled for October, during which he is expected to present the results of his consultations and provide an update on diplomatic efforts.

The consultations are also intended to help prepare the ground for the resumption of direct political dialogue and negotiations under UN mediation, with support from the United States, as international stakeholders seek to reinvigorate efforts toward a political solution to the dispute