← All news

Sahara 3 min read

After MINURSO, Nasser Bourita: “from managing to changing”

The foreign minister spoke on the 2M channel the day after the UN vote. What he said, what others say, and what happens now.

  • 31Oct

    Nasser Bourita speaks on the 2M channel.

  • 1erNov

    MINURSO enters its liquidation phase, with a reduced team.

  • 4parties

    are concerned, including Algeria, the minister recalls.

  • Déc.UN

    The file goes back to the General Assembly.

What the minister says

The day after the UN vote, Nasser Bourita, the foreign minister, was a guest on the 2M channel. He reacted to the Security Council’s decision not to renew MINURSO.

From managing the conflict to changing it.

That is the idea he put forward, according to the Moroccan press. For years the UN mostly managed the file, year after year. Morocco now wants to move toward a solution.

  • The autonomy plan, under Moroccan sovereignty, is presented as Morocco’s final proposal.
  • The UN mission is to leave in an orderly way.
  • Morocco remains committed to maintaining the ceasefire.
  • The minister recalls that four parties are concerned, including Algeria.

In plain words Morocco says it no longer wants a file that drags on forever. It offers a solution, autonomy, and asks everyone to get on board.

The government speaks too

The government spokesperson, Samir Belfkih, also commented on the file on 31 October. Before the vote, other members of the government had already spoken. The government speaks with one voice around the autonomy plan.

And on the ground?

MINURSO’s mandate ended on 31 October. Since 1 November the mission has been in its liquidation phase. A reduced team stays while it winds down. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on all parties to show restraint.

Other reactions

This vote is not read the same way everywhere. Here is what others say, without distortion:

  • The Polisario published a statement on 31 October. It reads the vote differently: for it, the Sahara question is not closed.
  • Algeria expressed its regret.
  • France and the United Kingdom expressed regret after the vote.
  • Russia, which vetoed the American text, defends its position.

The file is still due to come back before the UN General Assembly in December.

Key dates

  1. The Security Council does not renew MINURSO. Royal Cabinet statement.

  2. End of the mandate. Nasser Bourita on 2M. Reactions from the Polisario and Algeria.

  3. Start of the mission’s liquidation, with a reduced team.

  4. The file is expected at the UN General Assembly.

Source. Moroccan and international press, 31 October to 1 November 2026: Le360, Le Matin, Hespress, Yabiladi, Morocco World News, APA. UN Security Council press release: https://press.un.org/en/2026/sc16498.doc.htm

Did you like this article? Share it.

Read next