The key facts

  • MINURSO ceased operations on October 31 after Russia vetoed the US-drafted resolution to extend its mandate
  • Guterres warned of the risk of escalation and called on the parties to exercise maximum restraint
  • Political talks will continue under the leadership of UN envoy Staffan de Mistura

Mandate expired, mission winds down

The UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) has formally ceased operations after the Security Council failed to extend its mandate beyond October 31. This was reported by Anadolu citing a statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. A liquidation phase has begun: a reduced team under the UN Department of Operational Support will handle the repatriation of participating countries' equipment and the disposal of the organization's property.

Warning of escalation risk

Guterres, through his official spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, said he «remains concerned» about the situation in the region and the risk of an escalation of hostilities, calling on all parties to exercise «maximum restraint» and refrain from steps that could heighten tensions or undermine regional stability. The Secretary-General stressed that the peacekeepers' departure does not negate the «inalienable right to self-determination» of the people of Western Sahara. He also thanked Special Representative Alexander Ivanko and honored the memory of 20 mission staff members who died during its work.

Russia's veto and continued talks

The mission's closure followed Russia's veto on Friday of a US-drafted resolution to extend the mandate: 11 Security Council members voted in favor, three abstained. Meanwhile, according to Anadolu, political negotiations are not stopping — they will continue under the auspices of the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura.

The essence of the dispute

MINURSO was established in 1991 to monitor the ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front, which advocates the territory's independence. The conflict dates back to 1975, when Spain ended its colonial rule. Morocco proposes broad autonomy for the territory under its sovereignty, while Polisario insists on a self-determination referendum — a position supported by Algeria. In practical terms, the mission's closure means the disappearance of a military monitoring mechanism that operated for more than three decades, while a diplomatic channel remains through the UN envoy.