The UN Security Council failed on Friday evening to pass two draft resolutions submitted by the United States and Russia regarding the Sahara region, due to Moscow's use of its veto power against the US draft, while the Russian draft did not receive the necessary number of votes for adoption.
The United Nations stated on its website that the US-drafted resolution extends the mandate of the "United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)" for one year until October 31, 2027, and decides to change its name starting from November 1 to "United Nations Mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO)".
Voting Details on the Drafts
The US draft resolution received support from 11 members, was opposed by Russia using its veto, while 3 members abstained from voting (China, Pakistan, Somalia), according to the same source. The use of the veto by any of the five permanent members of the Security Council (the US, Russia, France, Britain, and China) prevents the adoption of any resolution in the Council regardless of the votes of other members.
The second draft resolution, submitted by Russia, extends the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in the Sahara region for one year, according to the UN. The Russian draft received support from only 3 members, was opposed by the United States, while 11 members abstained from voting. Thus, it was not adopted due to failing to obtain the required majority of the Council's 15 members, according to the same source.
Disagreements over the Formulation and Initiative
The Security Council had previously extended the mission's mandate on October 31, 2025, for one year. The Moroccan website "Hespress" (private) stated that "Russia's use of the veto (against the US draft) came amid a disagreement with the United States regarding the wording of the resolution."
It clarified that the US proposal "pushes towards adopting the expanded and updated Moroccan autonomy plan as the sole basis for negotiations, along with reviewing the mission's name and structure." On October 31, 2025, the UN Security Council voted in favor of a US resolution supporting Morocco's autonomy initiative in the disputed Sahara region with the "Polisario" front, coinciding with the approval of the mission's mandate extension.
Historical Background of the Conflict
Eleven countries voted in favor of the resolution at that time, while Russia, China, and Pakistan abstained, and Algeria did not participate in the vote, protesting the wording of the resolution. In 2007, Morocco proposed an expanded autonomy for the Sahara region under its sovereignty, while "Polisario" calls for a referendum on self-determination, a proposal supported by Algeria.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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