International News

End of UN Peacebuilding Mission – Western Sahara

November 7 , 2026 14 hrs 0 min 49 0

The United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara), began its liquidation phase on 1 November 2026, after 35 years.
Established in 1991, MINURSO was tasked with monitoring the ceasefire and organising a referendum on self-determination, which never took place due to disagreements over voter eligibility.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced the start of the liquidation phase, with the mission’s assets to be returned to contributing countries.
The mission ended after the UN Security Council failed to renew its mandate.
The decision followed a Security Council resolution recognising Morocco’s autonomy proposal under its sovereignty as the most feasible solution to the conflict; Morocco welcomed it, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front expressed concern.