The facts

  1. Russia vetoed the US proposal to renew the mission for one year while making Morocco's autonomy proposal the sole basis for negotiations and changing the mission's name and military component. [1][2]

  2. The Russian alternative received three votes in favour, one against and eleven abstentions, below the nine affirmative votes required for adoption. [1]

  3. The existing MINURSO mandate was scheduled to expire on October 31. Failure to adopt either draft is distinct from verified physical withdrawal of staff. [1][2]

  4. Morocco welcomed the end of the mission while the Polisario Front opposed the US approach. These are the parties' positions, not a UN determination of sovereignty. [1][2]

  5. AP reported MINURSO operations ceased on 1 November following the mandate expiry; the Security Council had not adopted a renewal before the deadline. [3]

  6. A liquidation process is beginning, and a small UN team remains to oversee an orderly return or disposal of assets. [3]

  7. The report does not establish that every staff member has departed or that the dispute over Western Sahara has been resolved. [3]

  8. The UN Mandate Registry says Security Council Resolution 2797 extended MINURSO's mandate until 31 October 2026. [4]

Still unconfirmed

  • The eventual size and duration of the remaining UN presence, and any later Council action, are unknown.

Corrections & updates

Added the first reported post-expiry operational status. Distinguished cessation of operations and liquidation from a completed withdrawal or political resolution.

Clarification, 2 November: added the UN Mandate Registry's confirmation that the prior mandate expired on 31 October and clarified that liquidation is beginning with a small team remaining. The mission's operational cessation does not mean all staff have departed or the political dispute is resolved.

Sources

References support the numbered facts above. Source checks: 2 Nov 2026, 00:36 UTC.

AP reports the current operational status and remaining liquidation team. The UN Mandate Registry confirms that Resolution 2797 extended the mandate only through 31 October 2026. Neither source establishes completed staff withdrawal or a political resolution.

  1. Competing US, Russia resolutions on Western Sahara defeated in UN Security Council

    Reuters via ThePrint · Reporting · 31 Oct 2026

  2. UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara to expire amid US, Russia vetoes

    DW · Reporting · 31 Oct 2026

  3. Western Sahara peacekeeping mission ceases operations after mandate expires

    The Associated Press · Reporting · 1 Nov 2026

    Opened AP report: MINURSO operations ceased after the 31 October expiry; liquidation begins and a small UN team remains to oversee closure.

  4. Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025): extension of MINURSO mandate until 31 October 2026

    United Nations Mandate Registry · Primary source · 31 Oct 2025

    Official registry page opened; it confirms the resolution's expiry date but does not by itself establish post-expiry operations.

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