UN Peacekeeping Mission in Western Sahara Ends After Security Council Fails to Renew Mandate

The 35-year-old UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, MINURSO, has come to an end after the United Nations Security Council failed to renew its mandate. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced that November 1 would mark the start of the mission's 'liquidation phase.' Morocco, which claims the territory, welcomed the decision, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front expressed concern. Russia vetoed a US-backed resolution to renew the mandate, and a competing Russian resolution was also defeated, leading to the mission's expiration.