UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in disputed Western Sahara ceased operations on Sunday after 35 years, following a US-Russia deadlock in the UN Security Council. Its end raises concerns about regional security.
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, a disputed desert territory on Africa's northwestern Atlantic coast, ceased operations on Sunday, 1 November, after 35 years. The cause was a standoff between the United States and Russia in the UN Security Council over the territory's future, and the mission's end raises concerns about stability in the region.
Western Sahara is rich in minerals and fisheries and is roughly the size of Colorado. It was once ruled by Spain and is now claimed by both Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front.
How the mandate collapsed
On Friday, Russia vetoed a US draft resolution that would have backed Morocco's demand for sovereignty over the territory and ended the mission next year. A rival Russian text to extend the mission was then voted down, and the mandate ended abruptly.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, said a liquidation period has begun. A smaller team under the UN Department of Operational Support will oversee the return of equipment owned by troop-contributing countries and the disposal of UN equipment.
Reactions
Morocco's royal palace welcomed the non-renewal, calling the mission an instrument to internationalize the dispute. The Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, called the decision unacceptable. Algeria's foreign ministry expressed profound regret and criticized what it described as the excessive bias of the US draft.
Background
The mission, known as MINURSO, was created in 1991 after a UN-brokered cease-fire. It was meant to organize a self-determination referendum, but the vote never took place because the sides disagreed over who could vote. The Polisario withdrew from the cease-fire in 2020, and the territory has since seen tensions and low-intensity hostilities. Morocco and Algeria severed diplomatic relations in 2021.
Twenty MINURSO personnel died during the mission. It was authorized to have 534 personnel, and its 2026-2027 budget exceeded $62 million. The UN secretary-general urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint.
