U.N. Sahara Mission Ends After 35 Years

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ceased operations on Sunday. This marks the end of a 35 year deployment that began in 1991. The abrupt conclusion resulted from a deadlock between the United States and Russia at U.N. headquarters.

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the U.N. secretary general, confirmed the end of the mandate. He stated that November 1, 2026, initiated the liquidation period. A smaller administrative team will now report to the Department of Operational Support. This unit will oversee the transport of assets back to troop-contributing countries and the disposal of U.N. equipment.

The mission, known as MINURSO, was established under a 1991 cease-fire agreement. The original plan called for a referendum on self-determination. That vote never occurred. Morocco argued the voter list should include residents of the territory it controls. The Polisario Front opposed this, demanding the use of Spain's colonial census to determine eligibility.

The diplomatic collapse began last Friday in the U.N. Security Council. Russia vetoed a U.S. draft resolution. That proposal supported Morocco's claim to sovereignty and planned to end the mission next year. A rival Russian resolution to extend the mandate was subsequently voted down. The disagreement left the force without a legal mandate.

Morocco administers nearly all of the disputed territory. It is a vast desert region along the northwestern Atlantic coast, roughly the size of Colorado. The area is rich in minerals and fisheries. Morocco built a sand wall to separate the area it controls from a narrow strip known as the free zone. The kingdom refers to the territory as its southern provinces.

The Polisario Front operates from refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria. It seeks independence for the Indigenous Sahrawi people. The group is backed by Algeria, Russia, and South Africa. Its international support has declined in recent years. The movement withdrew from the cease-fire in 2020 following clashes. The U.N. reported last month that tensions and low-intensity hostilities have persisted since.

The 1975 annexation of the territory by Morocco sparked an armed conflict. That war lasted more than 15 years. According to the French Senate, it claimed over 16,000 lives on both sides. The U.N. classifies Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory. Critics of Moroccan control describe it as Africa's last colony.

The mission authorized 534 personnel. Its budget for 2026 and 2027 exceeded $62 million. Egypt, Ghana, and Pakistan were the top military contributors. Twenty MINURSO personnel died while serving in the territory.

Regional powers view the territory as a primary flashpoint. Algeria arms and funds the Polisario Front. It views full Moroccan sovereignty as a diplomatic defeat. The two nations severed diplomatic ties in 2021. The end of the mission risks further straining relations and fueling an arms race.

The U.N. secretary general called on all parties to respect the rights of the people of Western Sahara. Dujarric said the secretary general remains concerned about the security situation. He urged all concerned parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid an escalation of hostilities.