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We won: the UN does not renew MINURSO, a 35-year page is turned

For the first time since 1991, the UN does not renew its mission in the Sahara. Morocco sees the end of a 35-year file. Here is what happened, simply.

  • 35years

    A 35-year page is turned, says the Royal Cabinet.

  • 11votes

    out of 15 for the US draft, blocked by a veto.

  • 1retime

    MINURSO has not been renewed since 1991.

  • 2/3of states

    at the UN back autonomy, according to the Royal Cabinet.

What happened

On 30 October 2026, the UN Security Council had to decide the future of MINURSO. It is the United Nations mission present in the Sahara since 1991. Its mandate ended the next day.

Two texts were put to the vote. Neither was adopted. Result: the mission is not renewed.

Security Council · 30 October 2026

The US draft: 11 votes in favour, one veto

  • 11 In favour
  • 1 Against (veto)Russia
  • 3 AbstentionsChina, Pakistan, Somalia
15 seats. A single veto is enough to block a text, even with 11 votes in favour.

The American text got 11 votes in favour. But Russia used its veto. Three countries abstained: China, Pakistan and Somalia.

Security Council · 30 October 2026

The Russian draft: only 3 votes in favour

  • 3 In favourChina, Somalia, Russia
  • 1 AgainstUnited States
  • 11 Abstentions
9 were needed. This text was not adopted either.

The Russian text got only 3 votes. It needed 9.

Why Morocco speaks of victory

The Royal Cabinet reacted in a statement. It speaks of “a significant step toward the definitive closure of the Moroccan Sahara file at the United Nations”.

A 35-year page is now turned.

For 35 years the file came back to the Security Council every year. According to the Royal Cabinet, this should now come to an end.

The statement also recalls that more than two thirds of UN member states clearly back autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.

In plain words for 35 years the UN kept an eye on the Sahara with a mission on the ground. That mission stops. For Morocco, it is proof that the file is closing.

On Unity Day itself

The date is no accident for Moroccans. 31 October is now Unity Day, Aïd Al Wahda. It was decided in November 2025, after resolution 2797. 2026 is the first year it is celebrated.

The time has come for a united Morocco that stretches from Tangier to Lagouira…

Mohammed VI, speech of 31 October 2025

The Kingdom

From Tangier to Lagouira

Tangier Rabat Laayoune Dakhla Lagouira
About 2,000 km as the crow flies, from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Mauritanian border.

And now?

According to the Royal Cabinet, this is what should follow:

  • The mission’s presence in the southern provinces should end in the coming days.
  • The UN political process is suspended.
  • The ceasefire holds.

Other reactions

Everyone reads this vote in their own way. Algeria expressed deep regret. The Polisario welcomed the Russian veto. Morocco and its supporters, on the other hand, see a decisive step.

On this site we say what we think: it is a great victory for Morocco. And we also say where the figures come from.

Key dates

  1. The Green March: 350,000 Moroccans walk into the Sahara.

  2. The UN creates MINURSO (resolution 690).

  3. Morocco hands its autonomy plan to the UN.

  4. Resolution 2797: the autonomy plan at the centre of the talks.

  5. The Security Council does not renew MINURSO.

  6. End of the mandate. First Unity Day (Aïd Al Wahda).

Source. Royal Cabinet, statement of 30 October 2026. UN Security Council press release: https://press.un.org/en/2026/sc16498.doc.htm

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