The United Nations Security Council extended the mandate of Minurso in Western Sahara for a full year, until October 31, 2024. Analysts from both sides of the Sahrawi region warn this could be the last major move before a pause in May. After thirty two years of mediation, the UN is pursuing a path toward a sustainable settlement for a conflict that began long before 1975 with the Madrid Tripartite Agreement. The decision expands the footprint of Minurso to include Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria, and the Polisario Front while reiterating a process that seeks negotiations aimed at a fair, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution under the Secretary General. In a report issued after informal consultations at the UN headquarters in March, key players including the United States, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, and Spain are identified as important actors to consider in resolving the dispute.
The Security Council text does not mention a referendum or autonomy as concrete options, which reflects the current positions of the Polisario Front and Morocco. While it envisions self determination for the people of Western Sahara as a possible outcome of talks, it regards Morocco’s autonomy proposal as a constructive step that should be welcomed when paired with serious efforts to move the process forward. The document frames this within the Charter of the United Nations and the principles that guide it.
Is this the United Nations final push and the last card used by special envoy Steffan de Mistura A more robust wording appears in parts of the council statement, which calls on Algeria to take a decisive role in resolving the conflict. The UN cautions that the current status quo is unacceptable given the deteriorating conditions for refugees in the Tindouf camps and urges improvements in the human rights situation in Western Sahara and the Tindouf camps. It also urges the parties and the international community to develop credible, independent measures that ensure full human rights respect.
The extension of Minurso arrives at a pivotal moment in the Western Sahara dispute, influenced by recent global tensions including the war in Ukraine and the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Rabat has recently received open support from France for its autonomy plan, joining support from the United States, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and several other states named by the UN as potential mediators in the negotiations.
Similarly, the Sahara Peace Movement has been pursuing a parallel track. Its Second International Conference, held in Dakar, advocated a peaceful settlement, disarmament, and a negotiated agreement. While the movement accepts Moroccan sovereignty over the territory, its autonomous framework would grant broad powers under a proposed law that governs the region.
The Polisario Front continues to insist on independence for Sahrawi lands. In response to the UN resolution, it argues that Minurso has not taken enough concrete measures to enable its work and accuses Morocco of obstructing UN efforts. The resolution calls on the warring parties to facilitate access for MINURSO personnel to refugee camps and other disputed areas, and to remove obstacles that hinder monitoring and visits by UN human rights actors.
Underlying the resolution is the context of the US and United Kingdom support, given their roles as ex officio members of the Security Council. In total, thirteen Council members voted in favor of the extension, while Russia and Mozambique abstained, expressing concerns about the mission’s original mandate and urging Morocco to pursue self determination as well. They also supported the visit of UN human rights rapporteurs to the territory.
Secretary General Antonio Guterres underscored the urgency of resolving the conflict after nearly half a century. He called for an open mind, dropping preconditions, and focusing on shared interests as negotiations resume.
Attacks and explosions for a week
Before the latest UN statement was released, a sequence of attacks and explosions sparked protests across several Saharan cities over the weekend. Reports indicate one fatality and multiple injuries in Smara and nearby areas. Over the weekend and into the early hours, new explosions were reported in Smara and surrounding zones, with some claims attributed to the Polisario Front. Rabat denies involvement in any combat in the territory. Sidi Mohamed Omar, the Polisario Front representative at the UN, told the organization that the conflict is ongoing and that active fighting continues, even if Morocco does not publicly acknowledge it. The violence has included casualties among civilians and military targets since the ceasefire began to fracture in 2020. The defensive barrier built by the Moroccan army remains a focal point of the security landscape in the region.