UN ends 35-year Western Sahara peacekeeping mission after US-Russia deadlock
Morocco's royal palace welcomed the end of the mission, while the Polisario Front called the decision unacceptable.
The UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ceased operations on Sunday, Nov. 1, after 35 years. The Security Council could not agree on the mission's future. On Friday, Russia vetoed a draft resolution from the United States.
The US text got 11 votes in favor, one against and three abstentions. A rival Russian proposal then failed, with three votes in favor, one against and 11 abstentions. Russia accused Washington of siding with Morocco.
The US accused Moscow of obstructing progress toward a political settlement. UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said Nov. 1 marks the start of a liquidation period. A smaller team will oversee the return of assets belonging to troop-contributing countries and the disposal of UN equipment.
Dujarric said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is concerned about security and the risk of escalation, and urged all concerned to show maximum restraint. Morocco's royal palace welcomed the non-renewal. The Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the territory, called it unacceptable.
Algeria's foreign ministry said it "profoundly regrets" the non-renewal of the mandate. Morocco and the Polisario both claim the territory, once ruled by Spain. The mission was set up in 1991 to oversee a cease-fire and organize a referendum.
That vote was never held.
- 11 in favor, one against, three abstentions Security Council vote on the US draft, which Russia vetoed — UPI
- three in favor, one against, 11 abstentions vote on the rival Russian resolution — UPI
- 534 personnel the force was authorized to have — ABC News
- More than $62 million the mission's 2026-2027 budget — ABC News
- Twenty mission personnel who lost their lives in the mission — ABC News
Three sides of the story
Liberal3 outlets
End of the mission and the regional fallout
ABC News opens with the end of the mission after 35 years and ties it to the US-Russia standoff. It then turns to reactions. Morocco's royal palace welcomed the non-renewal and called the mission an "instrument to internationalize the dispute."
The Polisario Front called the decision "an unacceptable decision," and Algeria's foreign ministry said it "profoundly regrets" the non-renewal and criticized the "excessive bias" of the US draft resolution. ABC quotes UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric on the liquidation period and on the secretary-general's call for restraint and respect for the rights of the people of Western Sahara. It spends much of the report on background: the territory's minerals and fisheries, Morocco's 1975 annexation, a conflict that the French Senate says claimed more than 16,000 lives, and a referendum that never took place.
ABC says the end of the mission raises concerns about stability and risks straining ties between Morocco and Algeria and fueling an arms race. NPR's report notes that the mission ceased operations Sunday and that Morocco and the Polisario Front both claim the territory.
Center2 outlets
Council failure to renew, each envoy's argument
UPI leads with the Security Council's failure to renew the mandate amid US-Russia disagreement. It sets out the votes on both texts and gives each government's argument. US Ambassador Mike Walz said the American draft would have taken "historic steps" toward ending a 50-year frozen conflict.
Russia's ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, accused Washington of seeking a solution "exclusively in terms of Morocco's autonomy plan." UPI adds that Nebenzia said the US approach would have departed from the historical basis of the settlement process. In his account, Washington effectively asked the council to "forget" the referendum and the Polisario's 2007 proposal, which he said keeps equal standing with Morocco's plan.
UPI reports that the Polisario noted "with satisfaction" that the US text was not adopted. It relays Dujarric's statement on returning assets and disposing of UN equipment, and his call on all concerned for maximum restraint. It notes that hostilities continue and the referendum was never held.
Conservative1 outlet
US-Russia standoff ends 35-year UN mission
The Washington Times reports that the UN's peacekeeping mission in disputed Western Sahara stopped operating on Sunday after 35 years. It attributes the end to a standoff between the United States and Russia at UN headquarters over the territory's future.
Which side made the stronger case?
All sources: 6 articles from 6 outlets
Liberal (3)
- ABC News: UN’s peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years following US-Russia standoff
- Al Jazeera English: What’s the future of the Western Sahara conflict?
- NPR: UN's peacekeeping mission in disputed Western Sahara ends after 35 years
Center (2)
- BBC News: Why a US-Russia showdown left Morocco celebrating
- UPI: U.N.'s 35-year Western Sahara mission ends over U.S.-Russia rift
Conservative (1)
The morning edition by email
One email a day: the three main stories, each with its three sides. No ads. Unsubscribe with one tap.
A Telegram channel is coming soon.