The United Nations has begun winding down the MINURSO peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara after its mandate expired at midnight on 31 October when the Security Council could not agree a renewal, UN News reported. A US draft was vetoed by Russia and a Russian alternative failed to win nine votes. Secretary-General António Guterres said the drawdown does not end Sahrawi rights to self-determination and that envoy Staffan de Mistura will keep seeking a political solution. MINURSO had monitored the ceasefire since 1991 with observers based around Laayoune. A liquidation team will remove UN equipment while Guterres urged all sides to show maximum restraint. Morocco marked the Green March anniversary as the mission ended.
Source: UN News