UN starts winding up Western Sahara peacekeeping mission after 35 years

Summary

The United Nations has begun winding up its peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara after Russia and the United States vetoed each other's draft resolutions to extend the 35-year-old deployment, RFI reports. The BBC says an impasse between the two powers at the UN meant the mission ended after 35 years. The Financial Times reports that peacekeepers are set to leave the disputed region, and analysts warn that the withdrawal could raise the risk of escalation, including hostilities between Morocco and Algeria.

Timeline

1. Financial Times

   3 Nov 2026, 05:00 UTCSource ↗

   The Financial Times reports that peacekeepers are set to leave Western Sahara after 35 years, and that analysts warn the withdrawal could bring potential hostilities between Morocco and Algeria.

2. BBC

   3 Nov 2026, 07:29 UTCSource ↗

   The BBC reports that an impasse between the United States and Russia at the UN meant the Western Sahara peacekeeping mission ended after 35 years.

3. RFI

   3 Nov 2026, 13:20 UTCSource ↗

   RFI reports that the UN has confirmed it has begun the process of ending its Western Sahara peacekeeping mission after Russia and the United States vetoed each other's draft resolutions on extending the deployment.