In brief
The UN Security Council extended the UN Support Mission in Libya for another year amid unanimous approval, but the council failed to renew a Western Sahara peacekeeping mandate after Russia used its veto. The divergent votes split the council, drawing criticism from the United States and NGOs worried over civilian security.
On Friday, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of its support mission in Libya for another year and then rejected a US‑drafted resolution on Western Sahara after a vote that left the peacekeeping mission in the latter region without renewal.
UNSMIL was extended a full year by a 13‑0 vote. The resolution, introduced by the United Kingdom, backs the move toward elections, reunification of state institutions, and the creation of a unified executive authority, according to Anadolu.
The council also voted on a US‑drafted Western Sahara resolution that received 11 votes in favor, one against, and three abstentions. Russia, according to Anadolu, abstained from the vote, while Reuters reports that Russia used its veto to block the measure, leaving the resolution dead.
The United States welcomed the Libya vote, saying the country faces a “historic opportunity” and stressing the need for a single government and unified security institutions, as reported by Anadolu.
The Western Sahara resolution, which aimed to reshape the UN’s approach and advance a political settlement, was backed by 11 members but lost after Russia’s intervention, Anadolu notes.
"Repeated efforts to hold a referendum have failed for decades," said US Ambassador Mike Waltz. "Maintaining the status quo is no longer acceptable," he added.
Russia’s ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, said that agreements reached through the recent political process still need wider support among Libyan stakeholders, according to Anadolu.
"UN officials have been telling us this reality for 30 years," Michael Waltz said. "Some members of this Council have used their veto to preserve the letter ‘R’ for referendum in the mission’s name, even though the United Nations has not been preparing to hold such a vote for decades," he added.
Reuters reports that the two vetoes mean the council has not renewed a mission it has extended routinely each year, leaving the previously routine renewal of the Western Sahara peacekeeping force in limbo and raising concerns from Oxfam and other observers about the safety of civilians.
The clash between Russia and the United States over autonomy plans for Morocco reflects a sharp divide within the council, as both powers vetoed each other’s proposals and left the mandate for the United Nations Mission in Western Sahara, MINUSO, unextended as of Friday night.
