Morocco Celebrates UN Security Council’s Rejection of U.S. Resolution on Western Sahara
Morocco cheers as UN Security Council rejects U.S. resolution to extend MINURSO, halting the 35‑year Western Sahara peacekeeping mission.
POLICY WIRE — New York, NY — Morocco celebrated the UN Security Council’s rejection of a U.S. draft that sought to extend the mandate of MINURSO, the 35‑year peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara. The vote, which took place on Friday, left the mission’s future uncertain.
The resolution garnered 11 votes in favor, while China, Pakistan and Russia abstained, and no member voted against the measure. Russia had vetoed the U.S. draft earlier that day, preventing the mandate from being renewed.
MINURSO was charged with preparing a referendum on Western Sahara’s status, a territory Morocco claims sovereignty over and the Polisario Front demands independence for.
With the mandate extension defeated, the dispute that has long been a flashpoint between Morocco and the Sahrawi independence movement shifts in a new direction.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
