UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years

· Security · Morocco · Algeria

The 35-year-old UN peacekeeping mission in the disputed Western Sahara ended on Sunday after the Security Council failed to renew its mandate, UN chief Antonio Guterres said. The mission, known as MINURSO, had been in place since a 1991 ceasefire. Morocco, which claims the region, welcomed the decision, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front called it "unacceptable" and expressed concern. The UN warned of security risks as the mission ends.

Why it matters：The withdrawal removes a decades-old buffer in a long-frozen dispute and risks renewed instability in northwest Africa.

Key points

  • MINURSO had been deployed since the 1991 ceasefire
  • Morocco welcomed the end of the mission
  • The Polisario Front called the decision unacceptable

Sources (original reporting)

More stories from this day