The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the disputed territory of Western Sahara is entering a "liquidation phase," involving the repatriation of personnel, closure of facilities, and disposal of equipment. This abrupt end comes after 35 years of operation and follows a U.S.-Russia disagreement at the Security Council that prevented the renewal of the mission's mandate.
The mission, known as MINURSO, was established in 1991 to monitor a ceasefire between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front and to organize a referendum on self-determination. However, the referendum never took place due to disagreements over eligibility, and the ceasefire collapsed in 2020, leading to ongoing tensions and low-intensity hostilities.
MINURSO was authorized to have 534 personnel, with significant contributions from Egypt, Ghana, and Pakistan. During its operation, 20 UN personnel lost their lives. The mission's budget for 2026-2027 was over $62 million.
Morocco's royal palace welcomed the mission's closure, stating it had failed to monitor the ceasefire. Conversely, the Polisario Front and Algeria expressed regret over the decision not to renew the mandate. The liquidation process will involve the repatriation of approximately 160 military observers and the drawdown of 180 civilian and affiliated personnel, leading to the closure of about 13 mission facilities.
The end of MINURSO serves Morocco's interests in asserting sovereignty over Western Sahara, a vast desert region rich in fisheries and minerals, while potentially isolating the Polisario Front further. Analysts suggest the withdrawal leaves the future of the region's fragile ceasefire uncertain and could give Morocco a freer hand in its dealings with the Polisario. The mission's presence had helped maintain a degree of stability and international engagement in the region, even as its core objective of facilitating a referendum became increasingly unlikely.