The Trump administration has joined Morocco in calling for reforms to United Nations peacekeeping missions, according to reports. The push comes amid ongoing debates over the future of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), which has been deployed since 1991 to monitor a ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front.
Morocco has long advocated for changes to MINURSO's mandate, particularly regarding human rights monitoring, which was added in 2013 but has been a point of contention. The United States, under the Trump administration, has signaled support for streamlining UN peacekeeping operations and reducing costs, a position that aligns with Morocco's interests in Western Sahara.
In 2020, the United States brokered the normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel, and in a controversial move, recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. This shift in US policy has influenced discussions at the UN, where the Security Council periodically renews MINURSO's mandate. The next renewal is expected in October 2026.
While the exact details of the proposed reforms remain unclear, the joint push by the US and Morocco could reshape the future of MINURSO and other UN peacekeeping missions. The Polisario Front and its allies, including Algeria, have opposed any changes that would alter the mission's original purpose. The debate is likely to intensify in the coming months as the Security Council considers the mandate renewal.
