UN security council hold a vote about Western Sahara, where a US-drafted resolution received 11 votes in favor, three abstentions, and one against with Russia’s veto. Therefore, UN un peacekeeping mission will not be renewed.
The resolution sought to reshape the UN’s approach to the long-running dispute and advance a political settlement. US Ambassador Mike Waltz argued that repeated efforts to hold a referendum had failed for decades and said maintaining the status quo was no longer acceptable.
“Unfortunately, Russia vetoed what 11 other members of this Council supported — taking historic steps toward finally ending a 50-year conflict in the Western Sahara. We presented a path to finally stem the real, devastating human cost of this conflict by extending the UN mission in Western Sahara for 12 months, supported the Personal Envoy and the political process, and called on UNHCR to register the refugees in the Tindouf camps who have been waiting 50 years for a durable solution, Watlz said.
The american diplmat added : “Russia’s veto means the mission’s mandate will now expire on October 31. The Council chose not to take a step back from the historic progress of Resolution 2797 by not supporting Russia’s alternative text. This was all Russia’s choice.
This regional conflict remains a key issue in North African diplomacy. Morocco has proposed broad autonomy for the territory under its sovereignty, while the Polisario Front continues to seek a referendum on self-determination, a position supported by Algeria.