WESTERN SAHARA — The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) expired at midnight on Sunday, 31 October 2026 after the UN Security Council failed to adopt a resolution extending its mandate on 30 October 2026. Primary source: press.un.org

A US draft resolution (S/2026/868) received 11 votes in favour, 1 veto from the Russian Federation, and 3 abstentions. China, Pakistan, and one other member abstained from the vote on the US draft resolution. A Russian draft resolution (S/2026/870) to extend the mandate until 31 October 2027 received 3 votes in favour, 1 veto from the United States, and 11 abstentions. China, Somalia, and the Russian Federation voted in favour of the Russian draft resolution. Primary source: press.un.org

The US delegate said the status quo was unacceptable and that the US draft would have moved the 50-year conflict forward. The Russian delegate described his veto as a life-saving veto. Primary source: press.un.org

Secretary-General António Guterres urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid escalating tensions. He stated that the departure of MINURSO does not abrogate the people’s inalienable right to self-determination. The UN will continue supporting peace efforts through the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura.

A liquidation period for MINURSO began on 1 November 2026, overseen by the UN Department of Operational Support. At the time its mandate ended, MINURSO had approximately 200 civilian staff, military observers, and staff officers from over 35 countries. The mission was headquartered in Laayoune with nine team sites and a liaison office in Tindouf.

Alexander Ivanko served as the Special Representative for Western Sahara and led MINURSO after hostilities resumed in 2020. Twenty MINURSO personnel died during the mission’s 35 years in Western Sahara.