United Nations Peacekeeping Mission In Disputed Western Sahara Ceases Operations

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara terminated field operations on Sunday following a diplomatic deadlock at the Security Council between the United States and Russia.

Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric announced that November 1 marked the formal opening of the liquidation period for the Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, concluding a 35-year deployment established in 1991. Under the direction of the Department of Operational Support, military assets and logistical equipment will return to contributing nations. The shutdown occurred after Russia exercised its veto on Friday to defeat an amended United States draft resolution that endorsed autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the foundation for resolving the dispute and scheduled the peacekeeping withdrawal for next year.

Council members subsequently rejected an alternative Russian resolution seeking an extension of the existing mandate, leaving the force without legal authorization to operate. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern regarding regional stability and warned of escalating hostilities throughout the territory, urging all parties to practice maximum restraint. Morocco's royal palace and Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita welcomed the termination of the force, describing the mandate's referendum mandate as an outdated mechanism that internationalized the dispute. Conversely, the Algeria-backed Polisario Front condemned the council's inaction as an unacceptable outcome.