Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Mauritania

The Secretary-General is closely following the internationally-mediated negotiations underway in Dakar, Senegal to forge consensus around transitional arrangements for a return to constitutional order in Mauritania, including on the date of presidential elections. The Secretary-General believes time is of the essence for reaching an agreement, and he calls on the Mauritanian parties to cooperate urgently toward this end with the African Union Facilitation, the United Nations and the International Contact Group.