UN Commission fails to renew mandate of Western Sahara mission after Russia's veto The mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) expires on October 31 without an extension, following the collapse of two draft resolutions. The US draft was vetoed: an American proposal for a one-year extension - which made the Moroccan autonomy plan the sole basis for talks and reduced the military component of the missions - was blocked by Russia, with 11 votes in favor and three abstentions. Moscow's position: Russia claimed that the American text ignores the interests of Morocco and the Polisario Front, and in fact does not include the referendum on self-determination for Western Sahara. The Russian draft was rejected: a Russian proposal to renew the current mandate unchanged also failed with three votes in favor, one against and 11 abstentions. US response: Washington accused Moscow of preventing efforts towards a political settlement. MINURSO was created in 1991 to monitor the ceasefire and prepare a referendum on the future of the territory. Subscribe to Sputnik Africa | X.

UN Commission fails to renew mandate of Western Sahara mission after Russia's veto The mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) expires on October 31 without an extension, following the collapse of two draft resolutions. The US draft was vetoed: an American proposal for a one-year extension - which made the Moroccan autonomy plan the sole basis for talks and reduced the military component of the missions - was blocked by Russia, with 11 votes in favor and three abstentions. Moscow's position: Russia claimed that the American text ignores the interests of Morocco and the Polisario Front, and in fact does not include the referendum on self-determination for Western Sahara. The Russian draft was rejected: a Russian proposal to renew the current mandate unchanged also failed with three votes in favor, one against and 11 abstentions. US response: Washington accused Moscow of preventing efforts towards a political settlement. MINURSO was created in 1991 to monitor the ceasefire and prepare a referendum on the future of the territory. Subscribe to Sputnik Africa | X.