Security Council fails to extend MINURSO mandate
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Caasimada Online
The two draft resolutions on MINURSO in the Sahara failed at the UN Security Council after Russia vetoed the US text and the United States rejected the Russian draft. The mission’s mandate expired on 31 October 2026, according to Caasimada Online.
The UN Security Council adopted neither of the two resolutions considered on Friday 30 October to extend the mandate of MINURSO, the UN mission in the Sahara. The US draft, supported by 11 countries, was blocked by Russia’s veto, while the Russian text received only three votes in favour and 11 members abstained, reports Caasimada Online.
The US draft provided for extending the mission until 31 October 2027 and changing its name and mandate by removing the reference to organising a referendum. It also made the Moroccan autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty the sole proposed basis for continuing negotiations, according to Caasimada Online. The Russian resolution, meanwhile, called for a one-year extension while retaining MINURSO’s current name and functions.
The mission’s mandate expired on 31 October 2026. Somalia, China and Pakistan abstained on the US text, while the United States voted against the Russian draft, according to Caasimada Online.
