UN Peacekeeping Mission in Western Sahara Ceases Operations

The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) ceased operations on November 1, 2026, ending a peacekeeping presence that lasted 35 years. The termination followed a diplomatic standoff in the U.N. Security Council, where Russia vetoed a U.S. resolution supporting Moroccan sovereignty over the territory. A subsequent Russian resolution to extend the mission was also voted down, leaving the mandate expired.

The Government of Morocco welcomed the withdrawal, describing the mission as an "instrument to internationalize the dispute." In contrast, the Polisario Front and the Government of Algeria condemned the decision. Algeria specifically criticized the "excessive bias" of the U.S. proposal.

The withdrawal occurs while Morocco and the Polisario Front remain in a state of low-intensity conflict that began in 2020, raising concerns about regional stability and the potential for escalated hostilities. A small U.N. team remains on-site to oversee the liquidation period and the transportation of assets back to troop-contributing nations.