Washington weighs options for UN mission in the Sahara, report says

The U.S. State Department held a closed-door meeting with about 10 researchers and academics on Oct. 9 to discuss the future of the United Nations mission in Western Sahara, weeks before the Security Council is due to vote on renewing its mandate, Africa Intelligence reported.

The consultations focused on options for the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in the Sahara (MINURSO), whose mandate expires on Oct. 31. Possible scenarios include extending the mission for another year, renewing it for a shorter period, revising its responsibilities or ending it altogether, according to the report.

The meeting was intended to provide U.S. officials handling the file with additional assessments ahead of negotiations over a draft Security Council resolution. Participants reportedly included representatives of the International Crisis Group, the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and Colgate University. Invitations were sent on the evening of Oct. 8, the report said.

Officials involved in the discussions include Massad Boulos, U.S. President Donald Trump’s senior adviser for Africa, and Michael Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, according to the report.

MINURSO was established in 1991 with a mandate that included organising a referendum on self-determination in Western Sahara. The vote has never taken place, and efforts to reach a political settlement between Morocco and the Polisario Front remain unresolved.

The Security Council’s October deliberations follow the presentation of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ latest report on Western Sahara and a briefing by his personal envoy, Staffan de Mistura. The Council is also awaiting a strategic review of MINURSO’s future mandate requested under Resolution 2797, adopted in October 2025.

Morocco has advocated for its autonomy proposal under Moroccan sovereignty to serve as the basis for resolving the dispute and has called for changes to MINURSO’s role. The Polisario Front continues to call for self-determination, including a referendum option.

The Security Council is scheduled to vote on the mission’s mandate on Oct. 31. The duration and scope of any renewal remain key issues under consideration.

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