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UN Peacekeeping Mission in Western Sahara Ends After 35 Years
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In Short: Despite disagreements over the resolution's details, all publications agreed that the UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ended after 35 years, with the Security Council failing to renew its mandate.
Al Jazeera and Arabnews reported that the UN established MINURSO in 1991 to monitor a ceasefire and prepare a referendum on Western Sahara's future. Morocco has claimed the territory since 1975, when Spain withdrew from the region.
The mission's liquidation phase began on November 1, with assets being transported back to troop-contributing countries. The US proposed a resolution to support self-determination in Western Sahara, but Russia vetoed it despite support from 11 of the 15 UNSC members.
Al Jazeera and Channel Africa highlighted that the US draft resolution aimed to extend the mission for a year, remove 'referendum' from its name, and make Morocco's autonomy proposal the basis for further talks. Russia's rival resolution was also voted down.
Al Jazeera and The Killeen Daily Herald stated that Morocco welcomed the decision, while the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, called it 'unacceptable.' The Polisario Front has been seeking an independent state in Western Sahara since Spain left in 1976.
Morocco’s royal palace said the non-renewal of the mission was a significant development in withdrawing the Western Sahara issue from the UNSC’s consideration. The Polisario Front expressed concern over the deadlock in the Security Council meeting.
Oxfam warned losing the mission could put refugees at risk, while hostilities persist at low levels since Polisario resumed 'armed struggle' in November 2020.
Despite disagreements over the resolution's details, all publications agreed that the UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ended after 35 years, with the Security Council failing to renew its mandate. The mission's conclusion raises concerns about potential escalation of hostilities and the security vacuum left in the region.
What this adds
Russia vetoed the US-drafted resolution, despite support from 11 of the 15 UNSC members, including France and the UK. This action prevented the extension of the mission and the removal of 'referendum' from its name.
Background
Russia vetoed a US-drafted resolution on Friday that would have supported Morocco’s demand for sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara and ended the UN’s 35-year peacekeeping mission.
What's confirmed
- The UN established the Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) in 1991 to monitor a ceasefire and prepare a referendum on the territory’s future.
- November 1 marked the start of the “liquidation phase” of the peacekeeping mission, with assets transported back to troop-contributing countries, Guterres said.
- “While MINURSO’s peacekeeping operations have concluded, the United Nations stands ready to continue supporting efforts to advance dialogue and pursue a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” Guterres said on Sunday.
What's still developing
- In an extraordinary confrontation, both permanent members blocked each other’s proposals on Western Sahara.
- The most immediate concern is how to fill the security vacuum that could be left when the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL, which has about 7,500 personnel, begins drawing down from January.