United Nations ends 35-year peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ended on Sunday after the Security Council failed to renew its mandate on Friday. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres confirmed the end of the operation, known as MINURSO, after 35 years in the disputed region. Al Jazeera English, France 24 English, and Reuters all reported the conclusion of the mission. [1][3][4]

According to France 24 English, the mission ceased operations following a United States and Russia standoff at United Nations headquarters regarding the future of the territory. Morocco welcomed the decision, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front called the end of the mission unacceptable, France 24 English reported. Antonio Guterres expressed concern about the security situation and warned of the risk of escalating hostilities, Al Jazeera English and Anadolu Ajansi reported. [1][3][8]

UN News reported that Antonio Guterres emphasized that the departure of the mission does not eliminate the right of the people to self-determination. The United Nations chief called on all parties to respect peace efforts and exercise restraint. Al Jazeera English noted that the peacekeeping mission had been in place in the disputed territory since a ceasefire in 1991. [1][2]

Western Sahara is a United Nations designated non-self-governing territory in north-western Africa with a surface area of 272,000 square kilometres. Morocco administers about 80 percent of the region after annexing it in 1975 following Spain's withdrawal, while the Polisario Front controls an eastern strip. MINURSO was established to monitor the 1991 ceasefire that halted a guerrilla war, but hostilities had already resumed in 2020 after the Polisario declared the truce broken. [9][10]