UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years amid US-Russia standoff

The United Nations' peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ended after 35 years of operation, according to reports from WPLG Local 10, WTOP, and WKMG News 6 ClickOrlando. The mission ceased following a standoff between the United States and Russia at UN headquarters regarding the future of the disputed territory.

Western Sahara is a desert region about the size of Colorado along Africa's northwestern Atlantic coast. It is rich in minerals and fisheries and is claimed by both Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front. The territory was once ruled by Spain.

The mission, established in 1991, had been repeatedly extended over the years. On November 1, 2026, the UN began the liquidation period, with a smaller team managing the transportation and disposal of UN assets, as stated by the UN secretary general's spokesperson.

The end of the mission followed a series of votes at the UN Security Council. Russia vetoed a US draft resolution supporting Morocco's sovereignty claim and ending the mission, while a rival Russian resolution to extend the mission was also rejected. This deadlock led to the abrupt termination of the peacekeeping force's mandate.

Reactions to the mission's end varied. Morocco's royal palace welcomed the decision, calling the mission an 'instrument to internationalize the dispute.' Conversely, the Polisario Front, supported by Algeria, condemned the decision as unacceptable. Algeria's foreign ministry expressed regret and criticized the US draft resolution for excessive bias.

The UN classifies Western Sahara as a 'non-self-governing territory,' with critics describing Morocco's control as colonial. Morocco administers nearly all of the territory except for a narrow 'free zone' east of a Moroccan-built sand wall.

The conclusion of the mission raises concerns about the stability of the region moving forward, given the longstanding territorial dispute and the geopolitical tensions involved.