In brief
On 1 November 2026, the United Nations Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres warned of potential escalation in Western Sahara after the Security Council failed to renew the MINURSO mission, leaving the region’s status quo unchanged. Diplomatic efforts stalled over rival US and Russian resolutions, and the mission entered a liquidation phase. While the UN stands ready to support dialogue, the next steps remain unclear.
On Sunday, 1 November 2026, UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres warned that the security situation in Western Sahara could deteriorate after the expiry of the 35‑year‑old MINURSO peacekeeping mission, which had been tasked with monitoring a cease‑fire and preparing a referendum on the territory’s future. The Security Council failed to renew the mandate because of competing proposals from the United States and Russia, leaving the conflict’s status quo intact.
Guterres said the UN remains prepared to support continued dialogue but urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that could heighten tensions. He described the mission’s withdrawal as a “liquidation phase,” with assets being transferred back to troop‑contributing countries.
“While MINURSO’s peacekeeping operations have concluded, the United Nations stands ready to continue supporting efforts to advance dialogue and pursue a peaceful resolution of the conflict,”
— Antonio Guterres
During the Security Council deliberations, the U.S. had proposed a resolution supporting self‑determination that would extend the mission for an additional year, whereas Russia vetoed the draft with backing from 11 of the 15 members, including France and the United Kingdom. The unresolved stalemate meant the mission ended without a new mandate.
Morocco’s royal palace called the non‑renewal a decisive step toward removing Western Sahara from the Security Council. Algeria’s foreign ministry expressed “deep regret” over the veto, accusing the U.S. of bias toward Morocco. The Polisario Front, which seeks an independent Sahrawi republic, voiced concern over the deadlock.
The final outcome of UN engagement in the dispute is still unconfirmed, as the organization has not announced a timetable for re‑establishing a presence or a new framework for resolving the conflict.
