The UN mission in Western Sahara, MINURSO, faces reform as the US proposes ending its peacekeeping role and shifting to a political mission, sparking controversy with the Polisario Front.
UN mission faces reform proposal
The United Nations mission in Western Sahara, MINURSO, is under pressure to undergo major changes as the Security Council prepares to decide on its future by October 31. An American proposal, dated October 20 and shared with members on October 22, suggests renaming the mission the United Nations Mission for Western Sahara, ending its peacekeeping role by April 30, 2027, and shifting it to a special political mission. This text is still unofficial and may be revised.General Assembly resolution passes
On October 15, the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly approved its annual resolution on Western Sahara by 152 votes in favor, 2 against (the United States and Israel), and 7 abstentions, including France and the United Kingdom. Morocco, which claims the region as part of its territory, supported a decolonization text, while Israel and the United States, which drafted Security Council resolution 2797, opposed it. Observers found the voting results paradoxical.American proposal outlines new direction
The American proposal advocates for autonomy under Moroccan control as the only feasible solution to the conflict. It commends the efforts of the Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura and the United States, which have facilitated three rounds of direct talks in Washington and Madrid. It also acknowledges the role of former President Trump and notes that more countries now recognize Moroccan sovereignty. The plan includes reducing the mission’s staff by at least half by January 31, 2027, and submitting future mandate proposals to the Secretary-General by December 15.Analyst criticizes the proposal
Riccardo Fabiani, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, described the proposal as strongly supportive of Morocco. He said MINURSO would no longer be a peacekeeping mission aimed at organizing a referendum but would instead support mediation based on Morocco’s plan. Fabiani added that the proposal “closes the door to any other type of solution.”Polisario Front reacts strongly
The Polisario Front, which represents the Sahrawi people seeking independence, criticized the proposal after it was shared. Its UN representative, Mohammed Sidi Omar, called the proposal “dangerous from a legal standpoint” and warned it could harm trust between the parties. In a letter to the Council presidency, the Front described the proposal as a “dangerous unprecedented rupture” and threatened to withdraw from the process if it was adopted unchanged.Vote breaks long-standing consensus
The October 15 vote marked a departure from 20 years of agreement. At the request of the United States, which wanted a vote on the 23 proposals from the session, the resolution received 152 votes in favor, two against, and seven abstentions. This text, which continues the work of the 24 Committee, must be distinguished from resolution 2797 of the Council.US-Morocco strategic ties deepen
The United States has a strong strategic alliance with Morocco, which has deepened through cooperation with Israel. Moroccan-Israeli relations date back to the late 1950s. Morocco became a major non-NATO ally in 2004 and signed a free trade agreement with the U.S. In 2020, Morocco signed a military cooperation roadmap with the U.S., just weeks before the American recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and the normalization of relations with Israel. This agreement was renewed in 2026.Fourth Committee becomes a point of contention
The Fourth Committee has become a source of tension with Washington. The United States has pushed to end the mandate of the 24 Committee, and Western media have noted that Washington views the resolutions as outdated. The Trump administration’s national security strategy, released in late 2025, introduced a “Trump corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine, aiming to prevent external powers like Russia and China from gaining influence in the Western Hemisphere.Likely compromise on MINURSO’s future
Given the current situation, the most probable outcome is an extension of MINURSO’s mandate, with a symbolic reference to a referendum retained. The mission would likely focus more on political facilitation tied to Morocco’s autonomy plan, already outlined in resolution 2797. The Council’s composition and the negotiation process support this outcome. The final version is expected to be framed as a political compromise, maintaining the form of the principle but favoring the substance of the autonomy plan, with the issue deferred for 12 months.
