Assembly/AU/3(XIV) Page 17 assistance from AU and ECOWAS towards finalization and costing of the projects to be submitted to the Donors’ Conference scheduled to be held in Abuja early this year. 62. It is to be recalled that the Tripoli Special Session decided to work resiliently towards the expeditious deployment of an AU-ECOWAS joint stabilization mission to, inter alia, consolidate peace and stability and provide the support needed for reform of the security sector, post-conflict reconstruction and development and for combating drug trafficking. Pursuant to that decision, an AU-ECOWAS joint mission was fielded to Guinea Bissau from 30 October to 10 November 2009. Consideration of the recommendations of this mission is under way. p) Mauritiania 63. In pursuance of the relevant AU decisions and to mark the end of its mission, the International Contact Group on Mauritania met in Nouakchott on 10 September 2009. On that occasion, the Group reviewed the developments in the situation since the signing in Nouakchott on 4 June 2009, of the Dakar Framework Agreement, and expressed satisfaction at the restoration of constitutional legality with the conduct of presidential election on 18 July 2009. At separate consultations, the three Mauritanian political movements signatories to the Framework Agreement reaffirmed their adherence to Article 4 (vii) of this Agreement regarding inclusive national political dialogue. The Group recommended that implementation of this provision of the Article be done expeditiously and in a consensual manner. It also underscored the need for adequate financial and economic assistance to consolidate the progress achieved. q) Western Sahara 64. No progress has been made in overcoming the stalemate over the question of Western Sahara. It will be recalled that four rounds of direct talks between the two parties were convened in Manhasset, New York, pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions 1754 and 1783 (2007) and 1813 (2008), which had called for "direct negotiations without preconditions and in good faith..., with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution which will provide for the selfdetermination of the people of Western Sahara…”. In resolution 1871(2009) adopted in April 2009, the UN Security Council further renewed its call to the parties to cooperate with the Secretary-General towards the implementation of its previous resolutions on the holding of direct negotiations. 65. As the Security Council had also endorsed the proposal to hold "small, informal talks", in preparation for a fifth round of negotiations, such a meeting was held last August in Durnstien, Austria. While no breakthrough was achieved at the meeting, the Kingdom of Morocco and the Polisaro Front were reported to have held discussions in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The two parties reiterated their commitment to continue with the negotiations as soon as arrangements are finalized through further consultations. The Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General has since continued with his consultations with the parties, as well as with Algeria and Mauritania, as neighboring countries, but has not, as yet, been in a position to announce the date and venue for the next meeting.