The Moroccan and Spanish media have extensively covered the UN Security Council's session on Western Sahara, which ended in a stalemate due to a veto by the United States and Russia. The session, which took place on Friday, was meant to renew the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). However, the veto prevented the council from reaching a decision, leaving the future of the mission uncertain.
The Spanish media have highlighted the implications of the veto on the future of MINURSO. According to El País, the veto has left the mission's future hanging in the balance, with the possibility of it coming to an end if an agreement is not reached soon. The newspaper noted that the US had proposed removing the reference to a referendum from the mission's name and objective, while Russia wanted a technical extension without changes to the mission's mandate.
The Spanish public broadcaster RTVE reported that the Security Council was unable to renew the mandate of MINURSO, with the US proposal receiving 11 votes in favor but being vetoed by Russia, and the Russian proposal receiving only 3 votes. RTVE noted that the lack of renewal does not mean the immediate withdrawal of MINURSO personnel but rather that there will be no new mandate as of November 1 unless an agreement is reached.
The Moroccan government has welcomed the failure to renew MINURSO's mandate, with the country seeing it as a step towards a final settlement of the Western Sahara conflict. According to Europa Press, Morocco considers the non-renewal a "positive development" and believes that the presence of MINURSO in the southern regions should come to an end in the coming days.
The EFE news agency has provided details on the rival proposals put forward by the US and Russia. The Russian proposal would have extended MINURSO's mandate until October 2027 without changes to its name or objectives, while the US proposal would have removed the reference to a referendum and made the Moroccan autonomy plan the basis for negotiations.
The Público newspaper has highlighted the divisions between the US and Russia on the issue, with the two countries exchanging vetoes. According to Público, the US proposal was aimed at changing the mission's objective and supporting the Moroccan autonomy plan, while Russia wanted to maintain the status quo.
The outcome of the UN Security Council session has been seen as a boost to Morocco's position on Western Sahara. According to Infobae España, Morocco considers MINURSO to be a relic of a bygone era and believes that the non-renewal of its mandate means that the presence of its personnel, vehicles, and equipment should come to an end in the coming days.
Key points
- Morocco sees the non-renewal of MINURSO's mandate as a step towards a final settlement of the Western Sahara conflict.
- The US and Russia exchanged vetoes on the issue, preventing the UN Security Council from reaching a decision.
- The future of MINURSO remains uncertain, with the possibility of it coming to an end if an agreement is not reached soon.
