Russia, US veto rival Western Sahara resolutions
· Politics · Morocco · United States
Russia and the United States vetoed rival resolutions on Western Sahara at the UN Security Council on Friday, leaving the UN peacekeeping mission there without a renewed mandate a day before it expires. It is the first time in 35 years that the mission's mandate has not been renewed, threatening to escalate tensions between Morocco and Sahrawi rebels fighting for an independent state in the disputed territory.
Why it matters：Failure to renew a 35-year-old mission removes a buffer in a long-frozen conflict and signals deeper paralysis at the Security Council.
Key points
- Russia and the US vetoed competing resolutions
- The mandate lapsed a day later without renewal
- Morocco and Sahrawi rebels dispute the territory
Sources (original reporting)
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