UN Ends 35-Year Western Sahara Mission as Guterres Warns of Escalating Hostilities
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Nov 1
UN Ends 35-Year Western Sahara Mission as Guterres Warns of Escalating Hostilities
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Nov 1
Summary
November 1 launched the liquidation phase of MINURSO, with UN assets being sent back to troop-contributing countries after the mission’s mandate expired.
Antonio Guterres warned the security situation across Western Sahara could worsen and urged all sides to show maximum restraint to avoid further destabilizing the region.
Friday’s collapse followed Russia’s veto of a US draft that won 11 of 15 council votes, while a rival Russian text also failed, leaving no mandate renewal.
MINURSO had monitored a 1991 ceasefire and was meant to prepare a referendum that never happened, underscoring how the UN deadlock leaves the 50-year dispute unresolved.