The UN Security Council is set to discuss the Western Sahara file, with the Moroccan Sahara issue on the agenda, as the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) is set to expire on October 31. According to the official program of work for the UN Security Council for October 2026, two meetings are scheduled to take place on October 7 and 8 to discuss the developments of the MINURSO mission.
The discussions will take place in the context of the ongoing efforts to find a lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict. The Security Council had previously extended the mandate of MINURSO until October 31, 2026, through Resolution 2797, which called on the parties to engage in negotiations based on the Moroccan autonomy proposal as a basis for reaching a final and mutually acceptable political solution.
The Moroccan autonomy proposal has been a key aspect of the negotiations, with the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy working to facilitate talks between the parties. The Security Council has emphasized the importance of a negotiated solution, and the upcoming discussions will likely focus on the progress made so far and the way forward.
The MINURSO mission has been present in Western Sahara since 1991, with a mandate to facilitate a referendum on the territory's future. However, a lasting solution has yet to be found, and the issue remains a major challenge for the international community. The Security Council's discussions will take place against the backdrop of ongoing efforts to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict.
The program of work for the Security Council also provides for the UN Secretary-General to provide regular briefings to the Council, as well as a strategic review of the MINURSO mission's mandate within six months of its renewal. This review will take into account the results of the negotiations and will likely inform the Council's decision on the future of the mission.
The expiration of the MINURSO mission's mandate on October 31 adds a sense of urgency to the discussions, with the Council needing to decide on whether to renew the mandate or determine a new course of action. The outcome of the discussions will likely have significant implications for the future of Western Sahara and the efforts to find a lasting solution to the conflict.
The discussions on the Western Sahara file will take place at a critical juncture, with the international community closely watching the developments. The Security Council's decision will likely be influenced by the ongoing efforts to find a negotiated solution and the commitment of the parties to engage in meaningful talks.
Key points
- The UN Security Council to discuss the Western Sahara file amid the impending expiration of the MINURSO mission's mandate on October 31.
- The Security Council had previously extended the mandate of MINURSO until October 31, 2026, through Resolution 2797.
- The Moroccan autonomy proposal has been a key aspect of the negotiations, with the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy working to facilitate talks between the parties.
