UN Peacekeeping Mission (MINURSO) in Western Sahara Ends

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) has officially ended as its mandate expired. The UN Security Council failed to renew the mission after Russia exercised its veto against a US-proposed draft, which sought to pivot the mission towards Morocco's autonomy plan rather than a referendum. MINURSO was established in 1991 to monitor a ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front and organize a referendum on the territory's future, which never took place due to disputes over voter eligibility. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of the potential for renewed hostilities in the region. A scaled-down UN team will remain temporarily to oversee the handover of military equipment and assets.