The United Nations Security Council has initiated a strategic review of the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), according to diplomatic sources. The review, which began in late April 2026, aims to assess the mission's effectiveness and adapt its operations to the evolving situation in the disputed territory.
MINURSO was established in 1991 to monitor the ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front and to organize a referendum on self-determination for Western Sahara. The referendum has not yet taken place due to disagreements over voter eligibility. The current mandate expires on October 31, 2026, and the review is expected to inform its renewal.
Key issues under discussion include the mission's role in human rights monitoring, which has been a point of contention. Morocco has opposed expanding MINURSO's mandate to include human rights, while the Polisario Front and some UN member states have called for a broader scope. The review also considers the impact of recent tensions, including the breakdown of the 1991 ceasefire in November 2020.
Staffan de Mistura, the UN Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, has been engaged in shuttle diplomacy to restart negotiations. The Security Council is expected to hold further consultations in the coming weeks before any decision on the mandate renewal.
