UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years amid US‑Russia clash

The United Nations announced the liquidation of its Western Sahara peacekeeping force following a Russian veto of a US‑drafted resolution.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 01 Nov 2026 21:40:25 GMT

The United Nations announced that its peacekeeping mission in the disputed Western Sahara ceased operations on 1 November 2026, after 35 years of presence, following a US‑Russia standoff at the Security Council.

What happened

On 1 November 2026 the UN began a liquidation period for the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). The mission, created in 1991 to monitor a cease‑fire and organise a future referendum, had been repeatedly extended. In the Security Council, Russia vetoed a U.S.‑drafted resolution that would have backed Morocco’s claim to sovereignty and extended the mandate, while a separate Russian proposal to keep the mission running was also rejected, prompting the shutdown.

What the reports add

France 24 noted that the winding‑down will be managed by a small team under the UN Department of Operational Support, which will coordinate the return of equipment to troop‑contributing nations and arrange disposal of UN assets.
The Independent echoed this logistical plan and highlighted worries that the abrupt end could destabilise the already fragile region.
Al Jazeera reported that Morocco hailed the veto as a diplomatic win, portraying the decision as a defeat of a UN resolution that sought to prolong the mission.
Both France 24 and the Independent recorded reactions from the Algerian foreign ministry, which said it “profoundly regrets” the non‑renewal and criticised the U.S. draft as excessively biased.

What was said

“This 1 November 2026 marks the start of the liquidation period,” UN Secretary‑General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told France 24.

“A smaller team reporting to the United Nations’ Department of Operational Support will oversee the orderly transportation of assets belonging to troop‑contributing countries to their respective nations, and the appropriate disposal of equipment belonging to the United Nations,” Dujarric added.

Morocco’s royal palace called the mission an “instrument to internationalise the dispute” and welcomed its termination.

The Polisario Front described the decision as “unacceptable.”

The Algerian foreign ministry said it “profoundly regrets” the non‑renewal and condemned what it called the “excessive bias” of the U.S. draft.

Moroccan officials celebrated the veto, calling it a defeat of a UN resolution that sought to extend the mission.

How it came about

MINURSO was set up after Spain withdrew from Western Sahara in 1991, a desert roughly the size of Colorado that Morocco claims and the Polisario Front seeks to make independent. The United States reaffirmed recognition of Moroccan sovereignty in 2025, shaping the U.S. draft presented in November 2026. That draft would have removed the word “referendum” from the mission’s title and made Morocco’s autonomy proposal the sole framework for future talks. The previous October, the Security Council had adopted a resolution offering genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, which the U.S. asked Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres to review. The Russian veto, backed by 11 of the 15 council members, blocked the extension and led to the mission’s liquidation.

Key facts

The UN peacekeeping mission MINURSO ceased operations on 1 Nov 2026 after 35 years. (france24.com)
Russia vetoed a US‑drafted resolution that would have extended the mission’s mandate. (independent.co.uk)
Stéphane Dujarric said a smaller UN team will oversee asset transport and equipment disposal. (france24.com)
Morocco celebrated the defeat of the resolution, calling it a diplomatic win. (aljazeera.com)

Timeline

1991-04-28 — UN establishes MINURSO to monitor ceasefire and prepare referendum
2025-01-01 — United States reaffirms recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara
2026-11-01 — UN begins liquidation of MINURSO after Russian veto of US resolution