Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has sparked anger among Polisario supporters. In audio messages consulted by Yabiladi, they strongly criticize the 10 seconds the head of state dedicated to the Sahara issue during his speech at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. «We reaffirm our consistent position regarding the Western Sahara conflict. We support the efforts of the United Nations and all relevant Security Council resolutions to achieve a lasting settlement accepted by all», declared the Mauritanian head of state. El Ghazouani, who currently holds the rotating presidency of the African Union, made no mention of the continental organization's desire to participate in the Sahara resolution process. This statement at the UN comes at a time when relations between Mauritania and the Polisario are strained. At Algeria's urging, Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani invited Brahim Ghali to his inauguration as President of the Republic but did not grant him a formal audience. Additionally, Nouakchott declined the Polisario's invitation to a conference in Geneva on September 10, titled «From Occupation to Self-Determination: A Comparison Between Western Sahara and Palestine».
