UN warns of security risks in Western Sahara as peacekeeping mission ends

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has cautioned of potential escalation of hostilities in the disputed Western Sahara region after the expiry of a 35-year-long peacekeeping mission.

Key points

• When Spain withdrew from the desert region in northwest Africa, roughly the size of Britain, morocco has considered Western Sahara its territory since 1975.
• The UN established the Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) in 1991 to monitor a ceasefire and prepare a referendum on the territory's future.
• The Polisario Front, an Algeria-backed movement acting on behalf of the Indigenous Sahrawi individuals, seeks to establish an independent state called the Sahrawi Republic.
• Russia vetoed the resolution, despite backing from 11 of the 15 UNSC members, including fellow permanent members France and the United Kingdom.
• After the UN Security Council (UNSC) failed to renew its mandate on Friday, guterres additionally confirmed the end of the peacekeeping mission on Sunday.

"The Secretary-General said he remains concerned about the security situation throughout the territory and the risk of hostilities escalating, " his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, remarked in an official note on Sunday.

He pressed all concerned "to exercise maximum restraint and to refrain from actions that could further increase tensions or undermine regional stability".

November 1 marked the start of the "liquidation phase" of the peacekeeping mission, with assets transported back to troop-contributing countries, Guterres remarked.

Notably, the UN established the Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) in 1991 to monitor a ceasefire and prepare a referendum on the territory's future.

Notably, the Polisario Front, an Algeria-backed movement acting on behalf of the Indigenous Sahrawi individuals, seeks to establish an independent state called the Sahrawi Republic.

At the UNSC on Friday, the US proposed a resolution to backing the principle of self-determination in the Western Sahara. Washington's draft would have extended the mission for a year, removed "referendum" from its name and created Morocco's autonomy proposal the only basis for further negotiations.

For context, the council then defeated a competing Russian resolution, leaving the mission to expire without a new mandate.

"While MINURSO's peacekeeping operations have concluded, the United Nations stands ready to continue supporting efforts to advance dialogue and pursue a peaceful resolution of the conflict, " Guterres remarked on Sunday.

Morocco's royal palace remarked the fact the mission was not renewed was a "significant development" in withdrawing the Western Sahara problem from the UNSC's consideration.

On Saturday, Algeria's Foreign Ministry, nevertheless, expressed "deep regret" over the non-renewal, blaming the "excessive bias" of the US towards Morocco's position.

Notably, the Polisario Front remarked in an official note that it was "concerned at the deadlock in the Security Council meeting".

Speaking after Friday's vote, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz remarked it was truly unfortunate that in 2026, the veto was employed to "preserve the letter R for referendum".

He continued Washington's proposal "would have moved the 50-year conflict forward" and that the status quo is unacceptable.

Russia's UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, remarked at the same gathering that Moscow resisted the draft as it favoured one side.

"We stress the fact that the Security Council cannot automatically predetermine matters relating to sovereignty, " he remarked.

Taken together, the developments around UN warns of security risks in Western Sahara as peacekeeping mission ends point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.