ISLAMABAD: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has said that the departure of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) does not abrogate the inalienable rights of the people of Western Sahara, including their right to self-determination.
In a statement issued by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, the UN chief said MINURSO was established “to protect and serve the people of Western Sahara, in particular to allow them to realize their inalienable right to self-determination.”
“The Secretary-General underscores that the departure of MINURSO does not abrogate these inalienable rights and calls upon all parties to respect and promote the rights of the people of Western Sahara,” the statement said.
MINURSO has ceased operations following the non-renewal of its mandate by the Security Council. The Secretary-General recognised the central role played by the mission since its establishment in 1991 in helping to monitor the ceasefire and creating conditions conducive to the pursuit of a political solution.
Guterres expressed his deepest gratitude to MINURSO personnel, including the Special Representative for Western Sahara, Alexander Ivanko, whose leadership, according to the statement, guided the mission during a particularly challenging period following the resumption of hostilities in 2020.
He also paid tribute to the 20 MINURSO personnel who lost their lives during the 35 years the mission was deployed in Western Sahara.
According to the statement, November 1, 2026, marks the start of the liquidation period, during which a smaller team reporting to the United Nations Department of Operational Support will oversee the orderly transportation of assets belonging to troop-contributing countries to their respective nations and the appropriate disposal of United Nations equipment.
The Secretary-General called for the full cooperation of the parties to ensure that this process is completed in an orderly manner as soon as possible.
Guterres remained concerned about the security situation throughout the Territory and the risk of escalation of hostilities. He called on all concerned to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from actions that could further increase tensions or undermine regional stability.
The Secretary-General reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to support the parties in reaching a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
The statement said that while MINURSO’s peacekeeping operations have concluded, the United Nations stands ready to continue supporting efforts to advance dialogue and pursue a peaceful resolution of the conflict through the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Staffan de Mistura.
