The Algerian government expressed deep regret on October 31 over the non-renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Organization of a Referendum in Western Sahara (Minurso). The mission's mandate was set to expire at the end of October. According to Alger, the responsibility for this outcome lies with the draft resolution submitted to the UN Security Council. Algerian Foreign Minister had sent official letters to Council members before the vote, warning them of the serious consequences of the development.
The Algerian position is informed by the previous resolution, 2797, adopted on October 31, 2025. This resolution extended the Minurso mandate for one year, until October 31, 2026, with 11 votes in favor and abstentions from China, Russia, and Pakistan. The resolution sought a "just, durable, and mutually acceptable" political solution that ensures the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. It also considered that genuine autonomy could be a realistic solution and encouraged parties to share their ideas.
Algeria's first criticism of the new draft resolution concerns its impartiality. The government believes the draft was excessively partial, favoring Morocco at the expense of the Frente Popular para la Liberación de Sáhara Occidental (Front Polisario). In its letters to Council members, Algeria warned against a resolution that would consolidate a "territorial fait accompli," risking the legitimization of an occupation that would undermine the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination.
Algeria's second point of contention is the framework for negotiations. The final version of the draft resolution took the Moroccan autonomy plan as the "sole basis for negotiation." While Algeria acknowledges that amendments were introduced, it considers them insufficient. This approach, Alger believes, undermines the right to self-determination and restricts the options available to the parties, prejudging the outcome of the political process.
The third point of criticism concerns the name of the UN mission. The draft resolution removed the letter "R" from Minurso's acronym, which corresponds to "referendum." Algeria views this as a "preoccupying political signal," as it dismisses the referendum option, historically associated with the mission's mandate and a key instrument for the exercise of self-determination.
Algeria's fourth criticism relates to the role of the Front Polisario and the nature of the conflict. The draft resolution denied the Polisario the opportunity to submit its own ideas to negotiations. In contrast, resolution 2797 encouraged parties to share their proposals. Algeria also believes that the draft resolution would transform the conflict into an "essentially humanitarian" issue, whereas it considers the matter a decolonization issue that requires a solution inextricably linked to self-determination.
In conclusion, Algeria reiterates its commitment to a "just, durable, and mutually acceptable" political solution that guarantees the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination, in line with the UN Charter and relevant resolutions. The government believes that the draft resolution could not have served as a framework for productive negotiations or contributed to regional security and stability.
Key points
- Algeria criticizes the new UN resolution on Western Sahara for being partial and limiting the negotiation framework.
- The Algerian government emphasizes the importance of the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination in any solution to the conflict.
- The non-renewal of Minurso's mandate has significant implications for the future of Western Sahara.
