UN Peacekeeping Mission in Western Sahara Ends After 35 Years

The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) ceased operations on 1 November 2026 after its mandate expired at midnight on 31 October. The mission, established in 1991 following a ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front, had been repeatedly extended for 35 years. Its end followed a deadlock in the Security Council on 30 October.

Russia vetoed a United States draft resolution that would have endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty as the basis for a settlement and would have scaled back the peacekeeping force. A competing Russian resolution to extend the mission failed to secure the required nine votes. The United States draft received 11 votes in favour, one against and three abstentions. The Russian text received three votes in favour, one against and 11 abstentions.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that 1 November marks the start of the liquidation period. A smaller team under the Department of Operational Support will oversee the return of assets belonging to troop-contributing countries and the disposal of United Nations equipment. Guterres urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from actions that could increase tensions. He affirmed that the United Nations remains ready to support a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.

Morocco’s royal cabinet welcomed the non-renewal. It described the mission as an instrument that internationalised the dispute and said the end of the mandate turns a page of 35 years. The Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the territory, expressed concern. The ceasefire has largely held since 1991, but the referendum on self-determination that MINURSO was also tasked to organise has never taken place because of disagreements over voter eligibility.

Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, is claimed by Morocco and by the Polisario Front, which is supported by Algeria. Morocco controls most of the territory. Last year the Security Council adopted a US-drafted resolution that accepted Rabat’s autonomy plan as the most feasible solution. Russia abstained on that vote. This year’s failure to renew the mission leaves the territory without a UN peacekeeping presence for the first time in more than three decades.

MINURSO’s primary roles were monitoring the ceasefire and creating conditions for a political process. With the force now in liquidation, the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, will continue diplomatic efforts. Both Morocco and the Polisario have indicated they will maintain their positions. The abrupt end of the mandate removes the only continuous international monitoring mechanism that has operated in the territory since the ceasefire.

The Security Council’s inability to agree on even a short extension reflects the wider divergence between the United States and Russia over the political framework for Western Sahara. Morocco has stated that the Sahara file at the United Nations should now be closed. The Polisario and Algeria have rejected that reading. The liquidation process is expected to take weeks as equipment and personnel are withdrawn.