UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after Security Council fails to extend its mandate

Summary

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, known as MINURSO and in place in the disputed region since a ceasefire in 1991, has ended. Africanews reports that the mission ceased operations on Sunday, after 35 years, when the Security Council failed to extend its mandate. Al Jazeera reports that the US and Russia blocked the extension. Al Jazeera also reports that the UN warned of security risks in Western Sahara as the mission ends.

Timeline

1. Al Jazeera

   1 Nov 2026, 23:19 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that the UN warned of security risks in Western Sahara as the MINURSO peacekeeping mission, in place in the disputed region since a 1991 ceasefire, ends.

2. Africanews

   2 Nov 2026, 10:47 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that the UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ceased operations on Sunday, after 35 years, once the Security Council failed to extend its mandate.

3. Al Jazeera

   2 Nov 2026, 20:43 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that the UN is ending its peacekeeping mission in the disputed territory after the US and Russia blocked its extension.