In a dramatic turn of events at the United Nations, the Security Council has voted to end the MINURSO mission in Western Sahara, a decision that marks a significant shift in the international approach to the region. The vote, which took place on October 30, 2026, saw the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and other countries support a resolution that would replace the MINURSO mission with a new, more political mission, MINUSO. The new mission aims to focus on a more political approach, moving away from the idea of a referendum.
The MINURSO mission, which has been present in Western Sahara since 1991, was initially established to monitor a ceasefire between the Moroccan government and the Polisario Front. However, over the years, the mission's role has been reevaluated, and many have come to see it as outdated. The United States, in its draft resolution, argued that the MINURSO mission was no longer necessary and that a new approach was needed to move forward with the peace process.
Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, had initially been expected to be more flexible in its approach to the issue. However, in a surprise move, Russia exercised its veto power to block the US-drafted resolution. This move was seen as a significant blow to the US effort to reform the MINURSO mission. However, in a dramatic turnaround, the Russian counter-proposal to maintain the status quo of the MINURSO mission was also rejected, with the US and 11 other members of the Security Council voting against it.
The rejection of both the US and Russian proposals led to a significant development: the MINURSO mission will come to an end. The mission, which has been in place for over 35 years, will begin to wind down its operations immediately. This decision marks a significant shift in the international approach to Western Sahara and is seen as a major victory for Morocco, which has long argued that the MINURSO mission was no longer necessary.
The new mission, MINUSO, is expected to have a more political focus, with an emphasis on supporting the Moroccan autonomy plan. The plan, which was proposed by Morocco, aims to grant greater autonomy to the Western Sahara region while maintaining Moroccan sovereignty. The US and other countries have expressed support for the plan, which is seen as a key step towards resolving the conflict.
The decision to end the MINURSO mission has been welcomed by Morocco, which has long argued that the mission was outdated. The Moroccan government has expressed its appreciation for the support of the US, France, and other countries that voted in favor of the resolution. The Polisario Front, on the other hand, has expressed disappointment at the outcome, arguing that the decision will undermine the peace process.
The implications of the Security Council's decision are still unclear, but it is seen as a significant development in the region. The end of the MINURSO mission marks a new chapter in the international approach to Western Sahara, with a greater emphasis on politics and diplomacy. The international community will be watching closely to see how the situation develops in the coming months and years.
Key points
- The UN Security Council has voted to end the MINURSO mission in Western Sahara, a move seen as a significant shift in the international approach to the region.
