United Nations ends 35-year MINURSO peacekeeping mission

The United Nations Security Council has concluded its peacekeeping operations in Western Sahara, ending the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) after three and a half decades. The decision, which took effect on October 30, 2026, marks the final termination of a mission established in 1991 to mediate the territorial dispute between the Kingdom of Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front. The cessation of operations in this resource-rich territory, often referred to as Africa's last colony, has drawn sharply divergent reactions from regional stakeholders.

The Moroccan Royal Office formally welcomed the move, describing the non-renewal as a significant step toward a definitive resolution of the Sahara issue. Rabat characterized MINURSO as an outdated mechanism that served to internationalize a dispute over what Morocco considers its own southern provinces. By removing the issue from the UN agenda, Morocco expects a halt to the political procrastination that has historically stalled progress. Despite the mission's end, the Royal Office reaffirmed Morocco's commitment to maintaining the existing ceasefire and protecting its national integrity.

In contrast, the Polisario Front and neighboring Algeria have expressed deep concern over the withdrawal, warning it could undermine regional stability. Algerian officials condemned the decision as biased, suggesting that the removal of international oversight leaves the Sahrawi people vulnerable. The cessation of the mission reportedly follows increased diplomatic friction between global powers, specifically the United States and Russia, regarding the territory's future and the political process that has failed to deliver a permanent settlement since the early 1990s.

As UN personnel begin their withdrawal, the international community has urged all parties to respect human rights and maintain the peace established decades ago. The end of MINURSO leaves the future of Western Sahara in a precarious state, with the political process previously mediated by the UN now at a standstill. Observers remain concerned that the vacuum left by the mission could lead to renewed tensions or a shift in the balance of power in the long-disputed desert region.