Russia vetoes US resolution on the Sahara
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Lebrief, TelQuel, Maghreb Emergent and TSA
Russia vetoed the US draft resolution on the Sahara at the UN Security Council on Friday, despite 11 votes in favour, one against and three abstentions, according to Lebrief, TelQuel, Maghreb Emergent and TSA. The text proposed renaming MINURSO and making Moroccan autonomy the basis for negotiations. A Russian counter-proposal remains to be voted on: without an adopted text, the mission’s mandate expires on Saturday 31 October.
The US draft also proposed reducing the military component of MINURSO and making Morocco’s autonomy plan the sole basis for discussions towards a resolution of the conflict, reports Maghreb Emergent, citing Reuters.
The text proposed renaming the mission the United Nations Mission in the Sahara (MINUSO) from 1 November 2026. It also proposed renewing its mandate until 31 October 2027, with a gradual evolution of its duties, according to Maghreb Emergent.
Before the vote, Moscow had expressed reservations about transforming the mission. On 9 October, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandre Alimov insisted that the UN presence be maintained in its current form during a meeting with the Algerian ambassador in Moscow. On 29 October, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reiterated Russia’s support for renewing the mandate, without announcing her country’s final position, reports Maghreb Emergent.
