UN Security Council fails to renew Western Sahara peacekeeping mission mandate due to US and Russia vetoes

The UN Security Council failed to adopt two competing draft resolutions regarding the future of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), leaving the mission without a renewed mandate. Russia vetoed a US-drafted resolution, while the US vetoed a rival Russian resolution. Morocco's Royal Court welcomed the failure to renew the mission, stating that its continued presence is no longer justified and calling for a new approach to the issue.