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Western Sahara: Vote on a Draft Resolution Renewing MINURSO’s Mandate
Security Council Report • • world
Key Points:
- The UN Security Council is set to vote on two draft resolutions renewing the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 31 October 2027, with the US proposing a renamed mission (MINUSO) and Russia advocating a straightforward renewal.
- The US draft emphasizes Morocco's autonomy proposal as the primary basis for negotiation and suggests transitioning MINURSO into a special political mission by mid-2027, but faced criticism for downplaying self-determination and being one-sided.
- Russia and China oppose the US draft, calling for stronger references to self-determination, maintaining MINURSO’s current mandate and name, and cautioning against predetermining outcomes that could undermine trust in the peace process.
- The US revised its draft to soften language on self-determination and delay mission restructuring, but Russia broke silence on the draft and introduced its own simpler renewal text emphasizing ongoing negotiations and respect for UN principles.
- The vote will follow Security Council procedures, with the US and Russian drafts considered sequentially amid ongoing divisions over the political future and mandate of the UN mission in Western Sahara.
