UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years

The 35-year-old United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Western Sahara, known as Minurso, is set to conclude its operations after the Security Council decided not to renew its mandate, according to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Morocco, the region's claimed territory, welcomed the decision, while opposition from the Algeria-backed Polisario Front raised concerns. The Polisario Front has been advocating for an independent state in Western Sahara since Spain withdrew in 1976.

The mission, established following a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991, will enter its "liquidation phase" on November 1, with assets being transferred to the contributing countries. This decision follows a year after the Security Council approved a US-drafted resolution, endorsing Morocco's plan to grant autonomy to Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty as the most feasible solution to the conflict.

Notably, Russia, which abstained from last year's vote, vetoed a subsequent US-backed resolution in an attempt to solidify the UN's preference for the Moroccan plan while reducing the peacekeeping force. The Security Council ultimately failed to reach a consensus, allowing the mission to expire without a new mandate. The UN peacekeeping force primarily focused on monitoring the ceasefire and organizing a referendum, which has never taken place due to disputes over voter eligibility.

Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita commented that the mission's reference to a referendum was outdated. He added that Morocco's royal palace considered the non-renewal as a significant milestone towards removing the Western Sahara issue from the Security Council's consideration. Meanwhile, Algeria's Foreign Ministry expressed deep regret over the non-renewal, accusing the US of bias towards Morocco's position. The Polisario Front also voiced concern over the stalemate in the Security Council.