{
  "id": 17767294,
  "title": "UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara has ended: Guterres",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/un-peacekeeping-mission-in-western-sahara-has-ended-guterres",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T07:25:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/un-peacekeeping-mission-in-western-sahara-has-ended-guterres/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 35-year-old United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, known as MINURSO, will conclude on November 1 after the Security Council declined to renew its mandate, according to UN chief Antonio Guterres. Morocco, which asserts sovereignty over the region, welcomed the decision, while opponents backed by Algeria expressed concerns. The Polisario Front, seeking an independent state in Western Sahara since Spain's withdrawal in 1976, has been awaiting such a resolution since the mission's establishment following a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991. The mission's assets will be returned to contributing countries during the \"liquidation phase.\" The end of the mission follows a year after the Security Council approved a US-drafted resolution endorsing Morocco's plan for autonomy under Moroccan rule as the most viable solution to the conflict. Russia, which abstained in last year's vote, vetoed a subsequent US-backed resolution endorsing the Moroccan plan while reducing the peacekeeping force. The Security Council then rejected a competing Russian proposal, allowing the mission to expire without a new mandate. MINURSO's mandate primarily focused on monitoring the ceasefire and organizing a referendum, which has never occurred due to voter eligibility disputes. Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita stated that the mission's reference to a referendum was outdated. Morocco's royal palace deemed the non-renewal as a \"significant development\" towards removing the Western Sahara issue from Security Council discussions. In contrast, Algeria's Foreign Ministry expressed \"deep regret\" over the decision, attributing it to perceived US bias favoring Morocco.",
  "summary": "The Polisario Front has been seeking an independent state in Western Sahara since Spain left in 1976",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "UN’s peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years following US-Russia standoff",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/uns-peacekeeping-mission-in-western-sahara-ends-after-35-years",
        "published": "2026-11-01T18:36:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "UN’s peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years following US-Russia standoff",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/uns-peacekeeping-mission-in-western-sahara-ends-after-35-years-17658603",
        "published": "2026-11-01T18:37:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "UN’s peacekeeping mission in disputed Western Sahara ends after 35 years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/uns-peacekeeping-mission-in-disputed-western-sahara-ends-after-35",
        "published": "2026-11-01T20:37:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "UN warns of security risks in Western Sahara as peacekeeping mission ends",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/un-warns-of-security-risks-in-western-sahara-as-peacekeeping-mission",
        "published": "2026-11-01T23:19:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/un-peacekeeping-mission-in-western-sahara-ends-after-35-years",
        "published": "2026-11-01T23:46:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years, UN chief says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/un-peacekeeping-mission-in-western-sahara-ends-after-35-years-un",
        "published": "2026-11-02T02:58:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years, UN chief says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/un-peacekeeping-mission-in-western-sahara-ends-after-35-years-un-17739316",
        "published": "2026-11-02T03:19:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Nation Africa",
        "title": "UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years, UN chief says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/un-peacekeeping-mission-in-western-sahara-ends-after-35-years-un-17764978",
        "published": "2026-11-02T05:05:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NPR",
        "title": "UN's peacekeeping mission in disputed Western Sahara ends after 35 years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/uns-peacekeeping-mission-in-disputed-western-sahara-ends-after-35",
        "published": "2026-11-02T07:19:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "As peacekeepers leave Western Sahara, refugees yearn to end a half-century wait",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/as-peacekeepers-leave-western-sahara-refugees-yearn-to-end-a-half",
        "published": "2026-11-02T10:46:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}