U.N. peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years

The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara stopped all operations on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

The mission, known as MINURSO, has been active since 1991. It was created to monitor a cease-fire and oversee a referendum on the territory's status. The vote never took place. The U.S. and Russia failed to agree on how to handle the territory's future at the U.N. Security Council. Russia vetoed a U.S. draft resolution that supported Morocco's claim to sovereignty. The U.S. then voted down a Russian proposal to extend the mission. This disagreement ended the force's legal mandate abruptly.

Western Sahara is a desert territory along the northwestern Atlantic coast of Africa. It is roughly the size of the state of Colorado. The region is rich in minerals and fish. Morocco controls most of the land, while the Polisario Front controls a narrow strip east of a sand wall. The Polisario Front seeks independence for the Sahrawi people. Algeria supports the Polisario Front. Morocco has called the non-renewal of the mission an instrument to internationalize the dispute.

The U.N. spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, stated that November 1, 2026, marks the start of the liquidation period. A smaller team will now manage the move of equipment and personnel. Twenty U.N. personnel died during the mission's history. The force was authorized to have 534 staff members. Its budget for 2026 to 2027 exceeded $62 million. Egypt, Ghana, and Pakistan were the top military contributors.

The territory has been a source of conflict since 1975. Morocco annexed the region after Spain left. The conflict lasted more than 15 years and killed over 16,000 people, according to the French Senate. The U.N. classifies the area as a non-self-governing territory. Critics call it Africa's last colony. The Polisario Front withdrew from the cease-fire in 2020. Tensions and low-intensity hostilities have continued since then.

The U.N. secretary-general asked all parties to respect the rights of the people in Western Sahara. He expressed concern about the security situation and the risk of escalation. He called for maximum restraint. The end of the mission adds pressure to the rivalry between Morocco and Algeria. The two nations cut diplomatic ties in 2021. The closure of the peacekeeping force risks further straining relations between the regional powers.