UN mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years
MINURSO has entered liquidation after the Security Council failed to renew its mandate amid a stand-off between Washington and Moscow.
The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) ceased operations on 1 November after 35 years, following the Security Council's failure to renew its mandate.
On 30 October, Russia vetoed a draft resolution tabled by the United States that endorsed Morocco's claim to sovereignty over the territory. A rival Russian text to extend the mission was voted down. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said 1 November marked "the start of the liquidation period", to be overseen by a reduced team, and that the Secretary-General remained concerned about the risk of an escalation of hostilities. He called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint.
Morocco's royal palace described the mission as an "instrument to internationalise the dispute". The Polisario Front called the outcome "an unacceptable decision", while Algeria said it "profoundly regrets" the non-renewal and criticised the "excessive bias" of the American draft.
Africa's last colony
Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony rich in minerals and fisheries, was annexed by Morocco in 1975. The ensuing conflict with the Polisario Front lasted more than 15 years. MINURSO was established in 1991 to oversee a ceasefire and organise a self-determination referendum, which was never held because of disputes over the electoral roll.
Morocco administers almost all of the territory and enjoys the support of a growing number of Western capitals, including Washington, Paris and London. The Polisario, based in refugee camps around Tindouf in Algeria, is backed principally by Algeria, Russia and South Africa. It withdrew from the ceasefire in 2020. Twenty MINURSO personnel lost their lives during the mission, whose leading military contributors were Egypt, Ghana and Pakistan.