UN Ends 35-Year Western Sahara Peacekeeping Mission After Security Council Deadlock

The United Nations' long-running peacekeeping mission in the disputed territory of Western Sahara ceased operations on Sunday, November 1, after 35 years, following a standoff in the Security Council over the territory's future. The mission, known as MINURSO, had monitored a ceasefire in the region since 1991.

The mandate expired at midnight on Saturday after the Security Council failed on Friday to agree on its future. Russia vetoed a United States-backed draft resolution that would have supported Morocco's plan for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, while a competing Russian resolution to extend the mission for another year failed to win the nine votes needed for adoption.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said November 1 would mark the start of a liquidation phase, with a smaller team overseeing the return of troop-contributing countries' assets and the disposal of UN equipment. He paid tribute to the 20 MINURSO personnel who lost their lives during the mission's 35 years.

Morocco, which claims Western Sahara as its own and controls most of the territory, welcomed the end of the mission. The Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which has sought an independent state since former colonial power Spain left in 1976, expressed concern about the withdrawal.

Guterres stressed that the mission's departure does not remove the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination, and said the UN will keep working toward a peaceful resolution through his personal envoy, Staffan de Mistura. The mission had been headquartered in Laayoune with about 200 civilian staff, military observers, and staff officers from more than 35 countries.