The UN Security Council will vote on a resolution that could change the name of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). The proposed resolution, put forward by the United States, suggests dropping the word "referendum" from the mission's name. This move comes after decades of failed attempts to hold a referendum in the disputed territory. The mission was established in 1991 to oversee a ceasefire and organize a referendum, but the latter has never been implemented.
The idea of a referendum in Western Sahara has been on the backburner for years. The identification of the electorate has been a major point of contention, with Morocco and the Polisario Front disagreeing on who is eligible to vote. Despite efforts to find a solution, including the Baker plans in 2001 and 2003, the issue remains unresolved. In recent years, the UN has shifted its focus to finding a negotiated political solution.
In October 2025, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2797, which extended the mission's mandate for another year and called on parties to negotiate based on Morocco's autonomy initiative. The resolution also asked the UN Secretary-General to conduct a strategic review of the mission's future mandate. The review, presented in April 2026, suggested that the mission could focus on tasks such as observing a ceasefire, supporting the return of refugees, and disarmament.
The UN Secretary-General's report, presented in October 2026, noted that Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the Polisario Front had engaged in talks on the Moroccan autonomy proposal. Three rounds of discussions took place in the first quarter of 2026, including one in Madrid, facilitated by the UN and the United States. While progress was made, differences remain on issues such as sovereignty, self-determination, and consultation procedures.
The proposed resolution, which would rename the mission to the United Nations Mission in Western Sahara (MINUSO), has been welcomed by Morocco. The country has long pushed for a solution based on its autonomy initiative, which it says is the only way forward. Algeria, which has supported the Polisario Front, will observe the vote from the gallery, having ended its non-permanent seat on the Security Council in December 2025.
The vote is expected to be close, with attention focused on Russia and China, which have previously abstained on Western Sahara resolutions. The US, which has drafted the resolution, has secured support from key allies, including France and the UK. African and Arab countries have also increasingly backed Morocco's autonomy plan.
The outcome of the vote will have significant implications for the future of Western Sahara. If passed, the resolution will mark a new chapter in the UN's involvement in the region, with a focus on finding a negotiated solution rather than holding a referendum. The decision will also reflect the shifting priorities of the international community, which has come to recognize that a referendum may not be feasible.
Key points
- The UN Security Council is set to vote on a resolution that would drop the word "referendum" from the name of its Western Sahara mission.
- The proposed resolution would rename the mission to the United Nations Mission in Western Sahara (MINUSO) and extend its mandate until October 2027.
- The move reflects a shift in focus towards finding a negotiated political solution to the Western Sahara conflict, rather than holding a referendum.
