UN mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years; Tindouf sits at the crossroads of Sahel politics and Sahrawi displacement, hosting refugees and a fragile security dynamic.
Spain’s lower house has approved legislation to grant Spanish nationality to Sahrawis born in Western Sahara before 1977, with descendants eligible by naturalisation. The measure, backed by the government, could benefit tens of thousands and follows Spain’s shift in Western Sahara policy amid Ceuta migrant tensions and strained Morocco ties.
Spain and Italy have extended reciprocal border controls for another 15 days amid migratory tensions linked to Ceuta. Italy cites internal security risks as it keeps restrictions on passengers from Spain. Separately, Spain’s parliament backs citizenship for Western Sahrawis born before 1977, a move amid Morocco-Spain tensions.
Barham Salih has told the UN Security Council that peace is the responsibility of the council, not just humanitarian agencies. He cites Sudan, Congo, Ukraine, Western Sahara camps, and Yemen to highlight ongoing displacement and the need to prevent displacement where possible and rebuild lives in safety.
The UN Security Council has failed to renew the MINURSO peacekeeping mandate after Russia vetoed a US-drafted plan to convert the mission and enshrine Morocco's autonomy proposal; the US then vetoed a Russian draft to simply extend the force. MINURSO's mandate has expired, Morocco has ordered coordination for withdrawal and Polisario and Algeria have welcomed the outcome while aid groups warn of risks to civilians.
The UN peacekeeping mission MINURSO in Western Sahara has ended after 35 years amid a US-Russia standoff at the UN Security Council. Repatriation of personnel and the closure of facilities are underway, with uncertainty over regional stability as Morocco asserts sovereignty and the Polisario Front seeks independence.