Western Sahara: the UN mission mandate has not been renewed

The UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara (Minurso) was not renewed after Russia vetoed a US resolution. The US proposed extending the mission for a year, emphasizing Morocco's autonomy plan, which faced opposition from Russia. The Moroccan royal cabinet welcomed the decision, viewing it as a significant step towards resolving the Western Sahara issue. Algeria's UN representative praised Russia for opposing what he termed an injustice, while the Polisario Front expressed satisfaction with the resolution's rejection. Negotiations have been stalled since 2019, and the region remains a contentious issue since its decolonization from Spain in 1975.