The United Nations Security Council is set to convene two closed meetings on October 7 and 8 to discuss the situation in Western Sahara. These meetings come ahead of the October 31 expiry of the mandate of the UN Mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO). Greece, which holds the Council presidency for October, adopted the provisional program of work on October 1. The meetings will focus on the renewal of MINURSO's mandate and the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the Western Sahara conflict.
The UN Security Council's meetings will involve a closed session with troop-contributing countries on October 7, followed by closed consultations of the whole Council on October 8. Special Representative and Head of MINURSO Alexander Ivanko will participate in the meeting with troop-contributing countries. Council members will then receive a briefing from Ivanko and the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Staffan de Mistura, on the Secretary-General's annual report. A vote on a resolution to renew MINURSO's mandate is expected later in the month.
The diplomatic landscape on Western Sahara has been shifting in favor of Morocco, with the adoption of Resolution 2797 in October 2025. The resolution extended MINURSO's mandate for a year and expressed the Council's full support for the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy in facilitating negotiations based on Morocco's Autonomy Plan. The plan, submitted to the UN in 2007, proposes integrating Western Sahara into Morocco, with the local population managing its internal affairs while Morocco handles external representation.
The United States has played a key role in the diplomatic efforts, recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in December 2020. The US has maintained this position and reiterated that Morocco's Autonomy Plan is the only basis for a just and lasting solution. In February, the US convened ministerial-level delegations from Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the Polisario Front for talks in Madrid, followed by a second round in Washington on February 23 and 24.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, a solution to the conflict remains elusive. The Polisario Front has refused to engage with Morocco's Autonomy Plan, leading to a stalemate. US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos stated that there was "no imminent solution" for the moment, citing the Polisario's refusal to submit a formal response to the Autonomy Plan. Boulos emphasized that the US is waiting for formal feedback from the Polisario to move forward with the UN process.
The situation on the ground in Western Sahara has remained relatively stable, with some incidents reported. On May 5, three rockets struck near the city of Es-Smara, injuring one civilian, and the Polisario Front claimed responsibility for the attack. In response, the UN Security Council's Western permanent members, the European Union, and the Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the attack. On June 7, a reported Moroccan drone strike in the Mijek area killed a prominent Polisario figure and two other members of the group.
The UN Security Council is expected to renew MINURSO's mandate, with a strategic review of the mission's future mandate requested within six months. The review will consider options for realigning MINURSO's tasks in the event of a political agreement, including ceasefire monitoring, facilitating refugee returns, and supporting disarmament. The outcome of the meetings and the renewal of MINURSO's mandate will be closely watched, as the international community seeks a lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict.
Key points
- The UN Security Council will hold closed meetings on October 7 and 8 to discuss Western Sahara ahead of the October 31 expiry of the MINURSO mandate.
- The diplomatic landscape on Western Sahara has been shifting in favor of Morocco, with the adoption of Resolution 2797 in October 2025.
- Despite diplomatic efforts, a solution to the conflict remains elusive due to the Polisario Front's refusal to engage with Morocco's Autonomy Plan.
