Russia, China and Pakistan may abstain on MINURSO
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on TSA
The UN Security Council is due to vote on 30 October on renewing MINURSO’s mandate in the Sahara, and Russia, China and Pakistan could abstain. The revised draft extends the mission until 31 October 2027 and tasks the Secretary-General with presenting proposals on its future by 30 January 2027, according to TSA.
Russia, China and Pakistan could abstain in the UN Security Council vote, scheduled for 30 October, on renewing MINURSO’s mandate in the Sahara, according to TSA. The three countries had already abstained in the vote on Resolution 2797 on 31 October 2025.
The revised draft, distributed on 28 October, softens some wording on Moroccan autonomy, retains a reference to self-determination and removes provisions implicitly targeting the Polisario, TSA reports. However, it continues to favour Morocco’s plan as the basis for negotiations, without explicitly mentioning the Polisario’s expanded proposal.
The text provides for MINURSO’s mandate to be extended until 31 October 2027. The transformation of the mission into a special political mission and the halving of its military personnel are no longer subject to binding deadlines; the UN Secretary-General must present proposals on its future by 30 January 2027.
The vote comes after Washington eased its plans to reorganise MINURSO in the Sahara and self-determination was reinstated in the draft resolution on the Sahara. The Security Council had announced the 30 October vote on renewing MINURSO’s mandate.
