UN ends 35-year Western Sahara peacekeeping mission after Russian veto
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the MINURSO mission in Western Sahara will wind down after the Security Council failed to renew its mandate. Morocco welcomed the outcome, while Algeria and the Polisario Front voiced regret and concern.
The UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara is closing after 35 years, Reuters reported. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement on November 1 that the mission's "liquidation phase" had begun. Its assets will be sent back to the countries that contributed troops. The mandate of the mission, known as MINURSO, expired on October 31. A day earlier, Russia vetoed a US-drafted resolution to extend it for a year, Al Jazeera reported. The text had the support of 11 of the 15 Security Council members, including France and the United Kingdom. A rival Russian draft then failed, with two votes in favour, one against and 11 abstentions. The US draft would have removed the word "referendum" from the mission's name. It would also have made Morocco's autonomy plan the only basis for further talks. A UN report cited by Al Jazeera said MINURSO has 155 military personnel. The mission was set to cost $62 million in the fiscal year that began in June. New Vision reported that the force had 359 civilian and military personnel as of June. US ambassador Mike Waltz said it was unfortunate that the veto was used to keep the letter…
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