Competing US, Russia Resolutions on Western Sahara Defeated in UN Security Council, Leaving Mission Mandate Expired

Russia vetoed a US-drafted resolution to extend the UN peacekeeping mission (MINURSO) in Western Sahara, which would have cemented Morocco's autonomy plan as the only basis for talks. A rival Russian resolution also failed, leaving the mission's mandate expired and raising concerns from Algeria and Oxfam. Morocco welcomed the outcome.