The UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) will cease operations today, October 31, 2026, after the UN Security Council failed to pass a resolution extending its mandate. The council was divided, with Russia and the United States exercising their veto power against two competing draft resolutions. The Russian draft would have extended the mission's mandate for another year without changes, while the US draft proposed a one-year extension with a revised mandate.
The US draft resolution, supported by France, Britain, and most non-permanent members, would have renamed the mission, removed the word "referendum" from its name, and made the Moroccan autonomy initiative the basis for negotiations. It also proposed reducing the mission's military component and calling for a census of refugees in Tindouf camps. Russia vetoed this draft, with Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia describing it as an attempt to "politically assassinate" the mission.
The Russian draft resolution, on the other hand, was vetoed by the United States, with Ambassador Michael Waltz arguing that the referendum had not been held for decades due to disagreements over voter eligibility. The Moroccan Royal Court described the failure to extend the mission's mandate as a "significant development," calling for the withdrawal of mission personnel, vehicles, and equipment from the southern regions.
The end of the MINURSO mission has raised concerns among humanitarian organizations about the impact on civilians, refugees, and stability in the region. The mission was established in 1991 to monitor a ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front and organize a referendum that never took place. The Security Council had previously adopted Resolution 2797, which supported the Moroccan autonomy initiative as a basis for a solution and requested a review of the mission's role.
The situation has significant implications for Mauritania, a neighboring country and observer in the UN peace process. The country's borders with Western Sahara have been a key concern, with questions about the future of ceasefire arrangements. The Mauritanian government has not made an official statement on the matter.
The failure to extend the MINURSO mandate has sparked concerns about the future of the peace process in Western Sahara. The Polisario Front and Morocco have been at odds over the region's status for decades, with the UN playing a key role in attempts to find a solution. The situation remains uncertain, with no clear indication of what will happen next.
The end of the MINURSO mission marks a significant shift in the UN's involvement in Western Sahara. The mission's mandate was originally set to expire on October 31, 2026, and the failure to extend it means that the UN will no longer have a formal presence in the region.
Key points
- The UN Security Council failed to extend the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) due to vetoes from Russia and the United States.
