The UN's 35-year-old mission in Western Sahara, Minurso, has ended after its mandate was not renewed due to a Russian veto.
Minurso mission ends after 35 years
The United Nations Mission for the Organization of a Referendum in Western Sahara (Minurso) concluded its operations on Sunday, November 1st, after more than three decades of existence. The mission was originally established in 1991 to oversee a referendum that would allow the people of Western Sahara to determine their political future.Security Council fails to renew mandate
The United Nations Security Council did not renew Minurso’s mandate on Friday, October 27th, an outcome that caught many diplomats and observers by surprise. The decision marked the beginning of the mission’s liquidation period, as confirmed by the United Nations on Sunday.Russian veto blocks U.S. proposal
The failure to renew Minurso’s mandate followed a Russian veto of an American proposal for a resolution that supported Morocco’s plan for autonomy in Western Sahara. The U.S. had sought to advance a political solution that would grant Western Sahara a degree of self-governance under Moroccan oversight.End of a long-standing UN presence
With the mandate not renewed, Minurso’s long-standing presence in Western Sahara came to an official end. The mission had been a key part of international efforts to resolve the region’s status, though its work has been marked by political challenges and stalled negotiations for many years.
