On Sunday, November 1, 2026, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was established to protect the Sahrawi people and enable them to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination. Guterres' statement was read by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, at the UN headquarters in New York. The Secretary-General emphasized that the expiration of MINURSO's mandate does not negate this right.
Guterres highlighted that MINURSO has played a pivotal role in monitoring the ceasefire and creating conditions conducive to a political solution to the Western Sahara conflict since its inception in 1991. The mission's primary objective is to allow the Sahrawi people to exercise their right to self-determination. The Secretary-General's statement comes in response to the expiration of MINURSO's mandate, which has sparked concerns about the future of the Sahrawi people.
The UN Secretary-General reiterated that the expiration of MINURSO's mandate does not cancel the Sahrawi people's inalienable right to self-determination. He called on all parties to respect and promote the rights of the Sahrawi people. Guterres emphasized that the UN remains committed to supporting efforts to reach a fair, just, and lasting political solution that guarantees the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination.
The UN Secretary-General expressed his readiness to continue supporting efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict through his Personal Envoy to Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura. Guterres stressed that the end of MINURSO's peacekeeping operations does not mark the end of the UN's efforts to achieve a peaceful solution to the conflict. The UN will continue to support dialogue and a political settlement between the parties to the conflict.
The Western Sahara conflict has been ongoing for decades, with the Sahrawi people seeking independence from Morocco. The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with thousands of Sahrawi refugees living in camps in Algeria. The UN has been involved in efforts to resolve the conflict through the MINURSO mission, which was established in 1991.
Algeria has been a key player in the Western Sahara conflict, hosting thousands of Sahrawi refugees and providing humanitarian assistance. The country has also been a vocal advocate for the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination. The Algerian government has expressed concerns about the expiration of MINURSO's mandate and its implications for the Sahrawi people.
The international community has been following the developments in Western Sahara closely, with many countries expressing support for the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination. The UN Security Council has been involved in efforts to resolve the conflict, with several resolutions calling for a peaceful solution. The situation in Western Sahara remains complex, with many challenges ahead.
Key points
- The UN Secretary-General emphasizes that the expiration of MINURSO's mandate does not negate the Sahrawi people's inalienable right to self-determination.
- The UN remains committed to supporting efforts to reach a fair, just, and lasting political solution that guarantees the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination.
- The international community continues to follow developments in Western Sahara closely, with many countries expressing support for the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination.
