The mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Organization of a Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), established in 1991, has not been renewed, the UN announced on Sunday. This follows a veto by Russia of an American draft resolution favorable to the Moroccan autonomy plan.
Published on: 01/11/2026 - 17:08
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The UN confirmed, Sunday, November 1, "the beginning of the liquidation period" of the United Nations Mission for the Organization of a Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), whose mandate was not renewed to everyone's surprise by the Security Council.
During this period, "a reduced team reporting to the United Nations Department of Operational Support will oversee the orderly transfer to their respective countries of assets belonging to troop-contributing countries, as well as the appropriate transfer or disposal of equipment belonging to the United Nations", specifies Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the Secretary-General, in a press release.
UN chief Antonio Guterres urges, in this text, "to respect and promote the rights of the people of Western Sahara", in particular their "inalienable right to self-determination". He says he is "concerned (...) by the risk of an escalation of hostilities" and calls on the parties to "show the greatest restraint".
“The United Nations remains ready to continue supporting efforts to advance dialogue and achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict through the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura,” the statement concluded.
Russia's veto
The mandate of MINURSO, established in 1991 and which had 359 civilian and military personnel in June 2026, according to its website, expired at the end of the day on Saturday.
It was not renewed on Friday after Russia vetoed a US draft resolution.
This text, supported by eleven members out of fifteen, extended the mission for a year and placed the Moroccan autonomy plan at the center of the settlement of the conflict in Western Sahara, which for 50 years has pitted Rabat against the separatists of the Polisario Front, supported by Algeria.
This plan presented in 2007 provides for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty for this vast desert territory, rich in phosphate and with fish-rich waters.
Read alsoHow the drawing of borders fuels conflicts, from Western Sahara to the Middle East
Russia blocked this draft resolution, criticizing a "unilateral approach", and proposed an extension of the mission's mandate in the same terms as previously.
The United States voted against it and countries that supported the American resolution abstained.
Western Sahara, a Spanish colony until 1975, is controlled mainly by Morocco and considered a non-autonomous territory by the United Nations.
With AFP
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