Madar (International) - The UN Security Council failed on Friday, October 30, 2026, to adopt two draft resolutions on Western Sahara, leaving the future of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) in limbo as its mandate expires on October 31, 2026, according to the meeting record published by the United Nations.
According to the record, the US-drafted text (S/2026/868) failed despite 11 votes in favour because of a veto by the Russian Federation, with 3 abstentions, including China and Pakistan.
A Russian counter-draft (S/2026/870), which would have extended the mandate until October 31, 2027, was also rejected, with 3 votes in favour (China, Somalia, Russian Federation), one negative vote by a permanent member (United States) and 11 abstentions.
The US delegate called it unfortunate that the veto was used to "preserve the letter R" in the mission's name, for referendum, said the status quo was "unacceptable" and that any drawdown should be orderly and stable, describing the US text as "a good faith attempt" to make the mission "fit for purpose".
Russia's delegate said the US text "could have reversed the entire resolution process" on the issue, that imposing one-sided solutions "leads to a dead end", and described his vote as "a life-saving veto", presenting the counter-draft as "the last opportunity to extend the life of MINURSO".
France warned that an abrupt closure would be "exceedingly alarming in the context of resumed tensions", the United Kingdom voiced "immense disappointment", and China said it abstained because of insufficient consultations, adding that the mandate "should not be used to exert political pressure".
Algeria's delegate thanked Russia for its "technical rollover" draft and decried the "failure of this Security Council", while Morocco's delegate said "tradition has been violated" and criticised Algeria's stance.
MINURSO was established by resolution 690 (1991) to prepare a referendum that has never taken place. The record contains no statement by Mauritania, which is not a Council member. Madar earlier reported the details of the US draft before the vote.
