Morocco’s King Mohammed VI reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the Western Sahara ceasefire after the United Nations peacekeeping mission stopped operating, as Morocco prepares for a period without the mission in the disputed territory.
The king chaired a working meeting at the Royal Palace in Rabat on November 4. The prime minister, a royal adviser and the army chief attended the meeting to discuss next steps. The palace said Morocco had made its ceasefire pledge voluntarily.
It said Morocco would keep the pledge after MINURSO’s departure. The palace also said MINURSO had been unable to ensure that the ceasefire was followed. It said the mission’s original tasks had become outdated.
MINURSO was established in 1991 to monitor the ceasefire and help prepare a referendum on the territory’s future. It stopped peacekeeping operations after the Security Council failed to renew its mandate. A process to close down the mission began on November 1.
The Security Council’s failure to renew the mandate followed Russia’s veto of an extension drafted by the United States and the defeat of a rival Russian proposal. Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front both claim Western Sahara. The Polisario Front seeks independence.
The United Nations continues to recognize the Sahrawi people’s right to decide their future for themselves. Morocco welcomed the decision not to renew the mission. The Polisario Front expressed concern.
Algeria voiced regret. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that tensions could rise again. He urged the parties to show restraint.
He said the UN remains ready to support dialogue.