UN mission in Western Sahara withdraws
After 35 years, MINURSO ends as political solution to conflict remains elusive.
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The UN peacekeeping mission MINURSO began winding down in Western Sahara on Sunday. The mission is formally ceasing to exist after a deadlock in the Security Council, where Russia and the United States blocked each other’s proposals on its mandate.
The United Nations confirmed on Sunday that MINURSO is entering its liquidation phase. The mission was established in 1991 to monitor a ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara.
According to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, 1 November marks the start of the liquidation period. For years, the mission had observers in the area and was one of the few international mechanisms for monitoring developments around the ceasefire.
The immediate reason for the withdrawal is a diplomatic deadlock in the Security Council. Russia and the United States vetoed each other’s proposals to extend or modify the mission. As a result, the mandate expired without a new joint arrangement.
The UN says MINURSO’s end does not mean the organisation is withdrawing fully from the issue. Secretary-General António Guterres stressed that the United Nations wants to remain involved in a political solution that respects self-determination and is accepted by the parties involved.
Western Sahara is strategically important because of its location on the Atlantic coast and the presence of natural resources, including fishing grounds and minerals. Morocco administers most of the territory and considers it part of the kingdom; the Polisario Front and Algeria support independence.
For Europe, the main concern is that an international monitoring mechanism is disappearing without a new agreement taking its place. The UN reports no new fighting as a result of the withdrawal, but the mission’s end does reduce the international presence that made developments along the frontline visible. Little has yet been made public about the practical wind-down and the safety of the remaining personnel.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- MINURSO is entering its liquidation phase on 1 November.
- The Security Council reached no agreement to extend the mandate.
- The UN says it wants to remain involved in a political solution.
Left
Arguments The departure of an international mission without a political solution shows that multilateral monitoring and self-determination are not being given sufficient priority.
Values International law, self-determination and the protection of civilians.
Consequences Reduced monitoring could weaken the position of the local population and make escalation less visible.
Centre
Arguments The mission cannot continue operating indefinitely without a Security Council mandate; diplomatic involvement should therefore continue in another form.
Values Institutional legitimacy, stability and practicality.
Consequences A new arrangement may take time, but would prevent a mission without a political foundation from continuing to exist.
Right
Arguments After decades, the UN mission has not produced a definitive settlement, and international diplomacy must not prevent states from defending their security and economic interests.
Values National sovereignty, security and results-oriented governance.
Consequences A smaller international role could speed up decision-making, but increases the risk that one party will determine the balance of power.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core facts have been confirmed by the UN and AP. The text distinguishes between the mission’s formal end and uncertainty about the consequences for the conflict.
- confirmed MINURSO began its liquidation phase on 1 November 2026. — Confirmed by the United Nations and AP. source
- confirmed The mission was established in 1991 around the ceasefire in Western Sahara. — Background confirmed by AP. source
- confirmed Russia and the United States blocked each other’s proposals in the Security Council. — Confirmed by AP and NOS. source
Editor's note
It is certain that MINURSO began its liquidation phase on 1 November and that the Security Council did not agree to extend it. The consequences for the ceasefire and the precise timetable for the withdrawal remain uncertain.Sources
- Western Sahara: UN ‘stands ready’ to keep supporting peace efforts as MINURSO mission ends — Verenigde Naties
- UN's peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years following US-Russia standoff — Associated Press
- Impasse over VN-vredesmissie Westelijke Sahara: Rusland en VS vetoën elkaars voorstel — NOS
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „westelijke sahara”
- NU.nl — „westelijke sahara”
- De Telegraaf — „westelijke sahara”