UN Security Council reviews Western Sahara diplomatic process

The United Nations Security Council is revisiting the Western Sahara dossier following the submission of Secretary-General António Guterres’ latest report. A consultation session is scheduled for October 7, featuring presentations from Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura and MINURSO head Alexander Ivanko.

The discussions center on the future of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), whose current mandate, established by Resolution 2797, expires on October 31, 2026. The Council must decide whether to extend the mission for a year to allow more negotiation time or pursue a shorter extension to facilitate a strategic evaluation of the mission’s priorities.

Diplomatic efforts, including those supported by the United States, have focused on accelerating a political settlement. This approach often emphasizes the Moroccan autonomy proposal. However, challenges remain due to deep divergences between Morocco and the Polisario Front, with concerns that marginalizing key parties could undermine long-term regional stability.