The United Nations officially initiated the liquidation of its mission in Western Sahara, MINURSO, on Sunday. This move comes after the mission's mandate expired on Saturday without being renewed by the Security Council. A Russian veto on a US resolution prevented the extension, amid disagreements over Morocco's autonomy plan. The mission, established in 1991, had 359 personnel as of June 2026.
The liquidation process involves a reduced team from the Department of Operational Support overseeing the return of equipment from contributing countries and managing UN assets. MINURSO was created to facilitate a settlement process and organize a referendum on Western Sahara's self-determination. The mission's expiration has raised concerns about the conflict's future.
The Russian veto on the US-drafted resolution, supported by eleven members, blocked the one-year extension of MINURSO. The resolution would have centered discussions on Morocco's autonomy plan, proposed in 2007. Russia denounced the plan as "unilateral," while the US and other countries opposed Russia's proposal to renew the mandate under previous terms.
Morocco's autonomy plan is rejected by the Polisario Front, supported by Algeria, which advocates for Western Sahara's independence. The conflict between Rabat and the Polisario Front has lasted nearly fifty years. The UN considers Western Sahara a non-autonomous territory.
Despite the mission's end, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the importance of preserving the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination. He expressed concern about escalating hostilities and urged restraint from all parties. The UN remains committed to supporting efforts toward a peaceful resolution through its personal envoy, Staffan de Mistura.
The conflict in Western Sahara has a long history, dating back to the territory's Spanish colonization until 1975. The situation remains complex, with the international community watching closely. The UN's role in mediating the conflict is expected to continue, despite the end of MINURSO.
The liquidation of MINURSO marks a significant development in the Western Sahara conflict. The UN's efforts to find a peaceful solution will likely continue, with a focus on supporting dialogue and negotiations between the parties involved.
Key points
- The UN has started liquidating its Western Sahara mission, MINURSO, after its mandate expired without renewal due to a Russian veto on a US resolution.
- The conflict in Western Sahara has lasted nearly fifty years, with Morocco controlling most of the territory and the Polisario Front advocating for independence.
- The UN remains committed to supporting efforts toward a peaceful resolution, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasizing the importance of preserving the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination.
