UN peacekeepers leave Western Sahara after 35 years

The United Nations formally ended its peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara on Nov. 1, 2026, after 35 years of operation.

The abrupt closure resulted from a deadlock at the U.N. Security Council between the United States and Russia. On Friday, Russia vetoed a U.S. draft resolution that supported Morocco’s claim to sovereignty and planned to end the mission in 2027. A competing Russian resolution to extend the mandate was then voted down, expiring the force’s authority.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the U.N. secretary general, stated that a smaller team from the Department of Operational Support will manage the liquidation period. This group will oversee the return of equipment to troop-contributing nations and the disposal of U.N. property. The mission, known as MINURSO, was originally created in 1991 to monitor a referendum on self-determination. That vote never took place due to disagreements over voter eligibility between Morocco and the Polisario Front.

Western Sahara is a desert territory roughly the size of Colorado, rich in minerals and fisheries. Morocco controls nearly the entire area, except for a narrow strip east of a sand barrier. The Polisario Front, based in refugee camps in Algeria, seeks independence for the Indigenous Sahrawi people. The region has been a source of tension between Morocco and Algeria, which cut diplomatic ties in 2021.

Morocco’s royal palace described the mission as an instrument to internationalize the dispute. The Polisario Front called the decision to end the mandate unacceptable. Algeria criticized the U.S. draft resolution for excessive bias. The U.N. force had a 2026-2027 budget exceeding $62 million and was authorized to deploy 534 personnel. Egypt, Ghana, and Pakistan were the largest military contributors. Twenty U.N. personnel died during the mission's history.

The U.N. secretary general called on all parties to respect the rights of the people in the territory and exercise maximum restraint. The organization noted that the Polisario Front withdrew from the 1991 ceasefire in 2020. Since then, the territory has experienced low-intensity hostilities. The end of the mission leaves the region without international monitors, a situation that may impact the stability of the area.