The United Nations Security Council did not renew MINURSO’s mandate at its meeting on 30 October 2026, marking a historic turning point for Morocco. In a statement issued by the Royal Cabinet, His Majesty King Mohammed VI welcomed this major development, which definitively closes the Sahara dossier at UN level. This decision coincides with the celebration of Unity Day, signifying a strategic shift towards the Kingdom’s full sovereignty.
The end of 35 years of UN presence in the southern provinces
The non-renewal of MINURSO’s mandate implies the imminent withdrawal of its personnel, vehicles and equipment from the Kingdom’s Saharan provinces. This step brings to an end a mission established 35 years ago, described by the Royal Cabinet as an instrument inherited from an anachronistic context that has long fuelled the internationalisation of this regional dispute.
Consequently, this development marks the end of the Security Council’s consideration of the matter and the removal of the issue from its agenda. Statutory meetings, the Secretary-General’s reports and the Personal Envoy’s briefings are now no longer required, thereby suspending a UN political process that had been hampered by the procrastination of the other parties.
Commitment to the ceasefire and consolidation of diplomatic achievements
Whilst expressing its satisfaction at this historic development, Morocco has reaffirmed its firm commitment to upholding the ceasefire, whilst strictly respecting its territorial integrity, national security and the peace and security of its citizens. Similar steps will also be taken shortly within other United Nations bodies.
This decision crowns the international momentum spearheaded by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, which has already succeeded in rallying the support of more than two-thirds of UN member states, including permanent members of the Security Council, behind the plan for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the sole solution to this dispute
