The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) has definitively ceased its activities after the Security Council refused to extend its mandate, bringing to an end 35 years of continuous presence in the area. Despite this, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has stressed that the withdrawal of the international contingent does not imply the loss of the rights of the Sahrawi people, placing special emphasis on the right to self-determination.
Guterres has highlighted the role played by MINURSO --since its launch in 1991-- in monitoring the ceasefire and in creating a framework conducive to advancing toward a political solution to the conflict. He has conveyed his recognition to all the deployed personnel and, in particular, to his special representative, Alexander Ivanko, for his work during "an especially complicated stage" following the resumption of hostilities in 2020. Likewise, he has paid tribute to the 20 members of the mission who lost their lives during these years of deployment.
According to an official communication, the liquidation process will begin this Sunday, November 1, and will be managed by a reduced team from the UN Department of Operational Support, responsible for coordinating the return of the equipment to the States that provided it and deciding the final destination of the equipment owned by the organization. Guterres has called on all parties to cooperate to conclude this procedure "in an orderly manner and in the shortest possible time".
The Secretary-General has stressed that the end of the mission "does not nullify" the fundamental rights of the Sahrawi population and has urged all the actors involved to "respect and promote" the claims of the people of Western Sahara, "in particular, their inalienable right to self-determination".
At the same time, Guterres has shown his concern over the deterioration of the security context on the ground and the risk of an escalation of the clashes. In this framework, he has asked the parties to act "with the utmost restraint" and avoid any action that could increase tensions or compromise stability in the region.
Although the peacekeeping operations conclude, the United Nations will continue to be involved in the search for a negotiated solution to the Saharan conflict. In this regard, the UN chief has reiterated his commitment to "a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution" that guarantees the self-determination of the Saharawi people, through the work of his personal envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, and the strengthening of dialogue between the opposing parties.
The closure of MINURSO comes after Russia used its veto right as a permanent member of the Security Council to block the draft resolution presented by the United States, which contemplated extending the mission’s mandate.
Previously, the Frente Polisario, political representative of Saharawi self-determination, had rejected the US initiative on understanding that the text aligned completely with the autonomy plan promoted by Morocco, leaving their historical demands unanswered.