--- title: "Western Sahara Peacekeeping Mission Comes to End After 35 Years" url: https://newscentral.site/western-sahara-peacekeeping-mission-comes-to-end-after-35-years/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "World" published: 2026-11-01T20:37:45.000Z updated: 2026-11-01T22:42:48.925Z id: fda5dc62-2628-420f-a5fc-db536b875c23 source: "France 24 English https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20261101-un-s-peacekeeping-mission-in-disputed-western-sahara-ends-after-35-years" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/western-sahara-peacekeeping-mission-comes-to-end-after-35-years/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Western Sahara Peacekeeping Mission Comes to End After 35 Years The United Nations' peacekeeping mission in the disputed Western Sahara region has ended after 35 years of operation following a stalemate in the UN Security Council over the territory's future. The United Nations' long-running peacekeeping mission in the disputed Western Sahara region has come to an end after 35 years of operation. The decision was made official on Sunday following a stalemate in the UN Security Council over the territory's future. A major factor contributing to the mission's closure is the ongoing standoff between the US and Russia at the UN headquarters, which has prevented a renewal of the peacekeeping mandate. This impasse has left the region vulnerable to instability, raising concerns about its long-term prospects for security and stability. The disputed Western Sahara territory is a vast desert area located along Africa's northwestern Atlantic coast, roughly equivalent in size to the US state of Colorado. The region is rich in natural resources, including minerals and fisheries, which have made it an attractive prize for Morocco and the Polisario Front, two rival claimants to the territory. The UN peacekeeping mission was established in 1991 after Western Sahara was ruled by Spain. Since then, its mandate has been repeatedly extended, but this time around, the Security Council failed to renew it due to differences over the territory's future. The UN's peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, which had been ongoing for 35 years, has come to an abrupt end due to a lack of agreement among Security Council members over its future mandate. Morocco's royal palace reacted positively to the non-renewal of the mission, viewing it as a step towards resolving the long-standing dispute. The palace described the UN presence in Western Sahara as an "instrument to internationalize the dispute", implying that it had only served to prolong the conflict. The Polisario Front, which is backed by Algeria and has been seeking independence for Western Sahara, condemned the decision not to extend the mission's mandate. In a statement, the Algerian foreign ministry expressed its deep regret over the move, accusing the US of promoting an "excessive bias in its draft resolution. The disputed territory of Western Sahara remains a contentious issue, with the UN classifying it as a non-self-governing territory". Critics argue that Morocco's administration of nearly all of the territory amounts to colonial rule, with only a narrow strip on the eastern side remaining under Polisario control. The conflict over Western Sahara dates back to 1975, when Morocco annexed the territory, leading to an armed struggle that lasted for over 15 years and resulted in the loss of more than 16,000 lives. The dispute has since become a defining feature of Moroccan diplomacy, with the kingdom seeking to assert its sovereignty over the territory. The Polisario Front's goal of establishing an independent Sahrawi Republic has been a driving force behind its efforts in Western Sahara for decades. Operating from refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, the movement aims to secure self-determination and sovereignty for the Indigenous Sahrawi people, who consider Western Sahara their homeland. The Polisario's international backing has waned in recent years, with major supporters including Algeria, Russia, and South Africa. The 1991 UN-brokered cease-fire established a framework for peace in the region, paving the way for the creation of MINURSO, the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara. The settlement plan outlined a referendum on self-determination, with independence as one of the options available to the people of Western Sahara. The dispute over voter eligibility has been a major sticking point in the peace process. Morocco wants the voter list to include Sahrawis living in areas under its control, while the Polisario insists that only those listed in Spain's colonial census should be eligible to vote. MINURSO personnel have played a crucial role in maintaining stability in Western Sahara, despite facing challenges and risks. The UN force has been authorized to have 534 personnel, with Egypt, Ghana, and Pakistan contributing troops. The UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara has reached its conclusion after a 35-year presence in the disputed territory. The Polisario Front's withdrawal from the ceasefire in 2020 marked a significant escalation of tensions, which have continued to simmer ever since. Western Sahara remains a highly volatile region, with Morocco and Algeria engaged in a longstanding rivalry that shows no signs of abating. The end of the UN mission is likely to exacerbate an already tense situation, potentially leading to further diplomatic fallout between the two countries. --- Source: [France 24 English](https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20261101-un-s-peacekeeping-mission-in-disputed-western-sahara-ends-after-35-years) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/western-sahara-peacekeeping-mission-comes-to-end-after-35-years/