UN peacekeeping mandate in Western Sahara set to lapse

The mandate for UN peacekeepers in Western Sahara is set to end on Saturday after Russia and the United States each vetoed the other's proposal to extend the mission. The peacekeeping force, called Minurso, was founded in 1991 and currently has 359 civilian and military staff members. The Western Sahara conflict has been ongoing between Morocco and the Polisario Front separatists, backed by Algeria, for the past 50 years.

The United States proposed extending the mission for a year, prioritizing a Moroccan autonomy plan, which would have changed the force's name from Minurso to Minuso and dropped any reference to a self-determination referendum. Russia opposed this change, advocating for maintaining the existing terms of the mission. The United States vetoed Russia's proposal, and while some members of the UN Security Council supported the American resolution, they abstained.

France's ambassador criticized Russia's obstruction, while France and Britain urged others to find a solution based on the original draft. Morocco welcomed the decision to not renew the mandate, signaling the end of the Security Council's involvement in the issue. Algeria praised Russia and other countries for not backing the US resolution, reiterating their commitment to promoting a self-determination solution for the Sahrawi people. The Polisario Front also expressed satisfaction with the rejection of the US resolution.