UN Peacekeeping Mission in Western Sahara Comes to an End After 35 Years

The United Nations has confirmed that its peacekeeping presence in Western Sahara will close after the Security Council did not renew the mandate. UN chief Antonio Guterres said on Sunday that Nov. 1 marks the start of the liquidation phase, when assets will be sent back to the countries that supplied troops. The mission, known as MINURSO, has operated since a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991.

Why the Security Council Vote Failed

Russia vetoed a US-backed draft that would have reinforced the UN’s preference for Morocco’s autonomy plan while shrinking the force. A rival Russian proposal was then defeated, so the mission was left without a mandate. A year earlier, the Council had backed a US-drafted text calling Rabat’s autonomy proposal the most feasible solution, with Russia abstaining at that time.

Morocco, Algeria and Polisario Front Reactions

Morocco, which claims the territory, welcomed the outcome. Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said Rabat had known Russia would block the draft and saw a chance to review certain rules of the game. He also called the referendum reference in the mission’s name an anachronism, since the vote was never held because of disputes over voter eligibility. The royal palace described the decision as a significant step toward removing the issue from the Council’s agenda.

Concerns From Algeria and Polisario

Algeria expressed deep regret and blamed what it called excessive US bias toward Morocco. The Polisario Front, which has pushed for an independent state since Spain left in 1976, voiced concern.