UN rejects Russian proposal to extend MINURSO in the Sahara
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Lebrief and Yabiladi
The UN Security Council did not adopt, on 30 October 2026, Russia’s draft to extend MINURSO’s mandate in the Sahara by one year, Lebrief reports. Yabiladi specifies that the United States vetoed the text, which would have extended the mission until 31 October 2027 without changing its name or mandate. Russia had previously blocked a US proposal.
The United States vetoed Russia’s proposal to extend the MINURSO mandate by one year in the Sahara, Yabiladi reported. The text was therefore not adopted, as Lebrief reported on 30 October 2026.
Russia had previously used its own veto against a US proposal, according to Yabiladi. Adopting a Security Council resolution requires at least nine votes in favour out of 15, with no negative vote from a permanent member, Greece’s ambassador, who is presiding over the body this month, explained.
Moscow proposed keeping MINURSO’s current name and mandate and extending its mission until 31 October 2027. By contrast, the US draft proposed renaming the mission MINUSO, removing all references to the referendum and making Morocco’s autonomy initiative the sole basis for future negotiations, Yabiladi also reported. MINURSO’s current mandate expires on 31 October 2026.
