Madar (International) - The United Nations on Sunday, November 1, 2026, began the liquidation of its Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), whose mandate expired at midnight on Saturday, October 31, after the Security Council failed to agree on its future, according to UN News.
In a statement delivered by his Spokesperson, Secretary-General António Guterres said the UN remains committed to a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, stressing that the end of the mandate does not cancel their "inalienable right to self-determination," and urging all parties to respect and promote their rights.
The UN will continue to pursue a peaceful resolution through the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura.
Guterres said he remained concerned about the security situation across the territory and the risk of escalating hostilities, urging restraint and asking all concerned to avoid actions that could raise tensions or undermine regional stability.
According to the UN, a smaller team reporting to the Department of Operational Support will oversee the disposal of UN equipment during the liquidation, and the Secretary-General asked all parties to cooperate fully so it can be completed in an orderly way as soon as possible.
At the end of its mandate, the mission had about 200 civilian staff, military observers and staff officers from more than 35 countries, plus a dedicated mine action capability. It was headquartered in Laayoune, with nine team sites, four west of the berm and five east, and a liaison office in Tindouf.
Guterres credited the mission with a "central role" since 1991 in monitoring the ceasefire, thanked its personnel, including Special Representative Alexander Ivanko, who led it through a "particularly challenging period" after hostilities resumed in 2020, and paid tribute to 20 personnel who died over 35 years.
The Security Council had failed on Friday to adopt US and Russian drafts on the mission: Russia vetoed the US text, while the Russian draft to extend the mandate to October 31, 2027, did not win the nine votes needed. The US delegate said his country's draft would have backed self-determination and called the status quo unacceptable, while the Russian delegate said the US text would have imposed one-sided solutions.
MINURSO was established by resolution 690 (1991), based on UN-OAU settlement proposals accepted in 1988 by Morocco and the Frente POLISARIO that provided for a referendum offering independence or integration with Morocco, which was never held. In 2007, Morocco proposed an autonomy plan as a basis for negotiations, according to the UN.
