The Moroccan Royal Diwan issued a statement on October 30, 2026, saying that the UN Security Council did not extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) during its meeting. This development is considered a major step towards closing the Western Sahara file within the UN. The decision comes as Morocco celebrates its "Unity Day," a national holiday that aims to consolidate the country's territorial integrity.
The non-extension of MINURSO's mandate implies that the presence of the mission in Morocco's southern regions, including its personnel, vehicles, equipment, and symbols, should come to an end in the coming days. This marks the end of a 35-year period during which the mission was seen as a tool for internationalizing the regional conflict over Western Sahara. The mission was inherited from a bygone era and had become outdated.
The decision not to extend MINURSO's mandate is expected to put an end to the referral of the Western Sahara file to the UN Security Council and remove it from the council's agenda. As a result, there will be no justification for holding regular meetings of the council dedicated to Western Sahara, nor for reports from the UN Secretary-General or briefings from his personal envoy.
The UN's decision marks the end of the international political process, which had been characterized by procrastination from other parties and their insistence on creating a stalemate and maintaining the status quo. Morocco has expressed satisfaction with this development while reaffirming its commitment to a ceasefire and respect for its territorial integrity, national security, and citizens' safety.
The Royal Diwan statement also highlighted the dynamic international approach launched by King Mohammed VI, which has enabled Morocco to garner significant support. Over two-thirds of UN member states, including permanent members of the Security Council and influential international powers, have expressed support for Morocco's autonomy initiative as the only framework for resolving the regional conflict.
The Moroccan government has reiterated its commitment to continuing the dynamic approach on both bilateral and regional levels. This approach aims to build on the existing support and find a lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict. The issue has been a longstanding concern for Morocco, and the country is determined to resolve it in a way that respects its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The development is seen as a significant shift in the international approach to the Western Sahara conflict, marking a new chapter in Morocco's efforts to resolve the issue. The country's commitment to a peaceful and negotiated solution remains unchanged, and it is expected that further steps will be taken in the near future to consolidate the progress made so far.
Key points
- The UN's non-extension of MINURSO's mandate marks a significant step towards closing the Western Sahara file within the UN.
- Morocco has expressed satisfaction with the development, reaffirming its commitment to a ceasefire and respect for its territorial integrity.
- The country is determined to continue its dynamic international approach to resolving the conflict, building on existing support for its autonomy initiative.
