U.N. Force Exits Western Sahara After 35 Years

The United Nations ceased operations in Western Sahara on Sunday, ending a 35-year peacekeeping presence. The abrupt withdrawal followed a deadlock at the U.N. Security Council, where rival resolutions from the United States and Russia failed to secure a majority.

U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed the start of the liquidation period on November 1, 2026. A smaller team under the Department of Operational Support will now manage the transport of assets and equipment back to troop-contributing nations. The mission, known as MINURSO, was originally established in 1991 to monitor a cease-fire and organize a referendum on self-determination.

The referendum never occurred due to disagreements over voter eligibility. Morocco argued for including residents in the territory it controls, while the Polisario Front insisted on using Spain's colonial census to prevent a tilt toward integration. Morocco administers nearly all of the territory, excluding a narrow "free zone" east of a sand wall. The Polisario Front, based in refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, seeks an independent Sahrawi Republic.

The security situation has deteriorated since the Polisario Front withdrew from the 1991 cease-fire in 2020. The U.N. reported low-intensity hostilities and tensions in the region last month. The territory, roughly the size of Colorado, is rich in minerals and fisheries. It has been a central focus of Moroccan foreign policy, with the kingdom securing support from Washington, Paris, and London.

The U.S. draft resolution supported Morocco's demand for sovereignty and aimed to end the mission next year. Russia vetoed that draft and proposed a rival resolution to extend the mission, which was also voted down. The Moroccan royal palace welcomed the non-renewal, labeling the mission an "instrument to internationalize the dispute."

The Polisario Front and its backer, Algeria, criticized the outcome. The Algerian foreign ministry expressed profound regret and cited "excessive bias" in the U.S. proposal. The two countries severed diplomatic ties in 2021. The end of the mission risks further straining relations and fueling an arms race between the regional powers.

The mission's 2026-2027 budget exceeded $62 million, with an authorized strength of 534 personnel. Egypt, Ghana, and Pakistan were the top military contributors. Twenty personnel lost their lives during the mission's history. The U.N. secretary-general called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and respect the rights of the local population.