The United Nations’ 35-year peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ended on Sunday, November 1, 2026, after a standoff between the United States and Russia left the Security Council unable to renew its mandate and the territory’s future unresolved.
MINURSO was established in 1991. It was assigned to monitor a ceasefire. It was also meant to help prepare a vote on whether the people of Western Sahara would choose independence or integration with Morocco.
The vote never took place. On Friday, Russia vetoed a draft resolution backed by the United States. A competing Russian proposal to extend the mission failed to get enough support.
As a result, MINURSO’s mandate expired at midnight on October 31. The mission’s peacekeeping operations have ended. A smaller UN team has begun winding down the mission.
The team will arrange for national assets to be returned and UN equipment to be disposed of. The UN says it will continue seeking a peaceful political solution through the Secretary-General’s personal envoy. It has stressed that the mission’s departure does not take away the Sahrawi people’s right to decide their own future.
Morocco welcomed the decision not to renew the mandate. The Algeria-backed Polisario Front called the decision unacceptable. Algeria voiced regret.
Secretary-General António Guterres warned of a risk that hostilities could intensify. He urged restraint amid concern about regional stability.