UN Mission in Western Sahara Ceases Operations After 35 Years Amidst Security Council Stalemate

The United Nations has commenced the shutdown of its peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, following the Security Council's failure to renew its mandate. This marks the end of 35 years of operations in the Moroccan territory, as confirmed by a UN spokesman on Monday. MINURSO officially concluded its activities on Sunday, with a reduced team remaining to oversee the withdrawal of personnel and the closure of its bases.

Morocco has welcomed this development, with its royal palace characterizing the mission's closure as a significant stride towards removing the Sahara region dispute from the Security Council's agenda. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric detailed on Monday that the process will involve repatriating approximately 160 military observers, withdrawing 180 civilian and affiliated staff, and closing around 13 mission bases and team sites. The UN will also manage the disposal or transfer of equipment, dismantle communications and logistical infrastructure, and terminate existing contracts as part of the liquidation.

Mr. Dujarric stated that the residual team will operate under the UN Department of Operational Support to manage the closure process. "We are also taking the necessary measures to ensure continued administrative, financial and security oversight throughout this liquidation period, while maintaining the safety and well-being of all our personnel," he informed reporters in New York. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres had previously urged all parties on Sunday to cooperate with the withdrawal.

The mission's cessation follows a diplomatic impasse within the Security Council concerning the future of the Sahara region, a territory contested by Morocco and the Polisario Front, which advocates for independence. Last year, the council endorsed a US-drafted resolution that identified Morocco's proposal for granting the territory autonomy under its sovereignty as the "most feasible" solution to the long-standing dispute. However, Russia, which abstained from that vote, subsequently vetoed a new US-backed resolution this year that aimed to bolster support for the Moroccan plan while scaling down the UN peacekeeping force. A competing Russian proposal also failed to gain approval, leaving the mission without a renewed mandate.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita commented to state media that Rabat had anticipated Russia's veto of the US resolution and viewed the outcome as an opportunity to reassess the framework for addressing the dispute.