Read full Royal Office statement on end of MINURSO mandate and future of Sahara issue at UN

Here follows a statement by the Royal Office :

“Minurso’s mandate was not renewed by the United Nations Security Council at its meeting today, October 30, 2026.

This is a major development and a significant step toward the definitive closure of the Moroccan Sahara issue at the United Nations.

This major development coincides with the celebration of Unity Day, proclaimed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, to symbolize a break with the previous approach to managing this issue, shifting from a mere management logic to an approach aimed at profoundly transforming the parameters.

Thus, the non-renewal of Minurso’s mandate clearly means that the Mission’s presence in the Southern provinces of the Kingdom, particularly through its personnel, vehicles, equipment, and symbols, is expected to cease in the coming days.

A 35-year chapter has now come to a close. Rooted in an anachronistic and outdated context, this Mission has long served as a tool for internationalizing the regional dispute concerning the Kingdom of Morocco’s legitimate recovery of its Saharan provinces.

Furthermore, the non-renewal of Minurso’s mandate should mark the end of the Security Council’s consideration of the matter and the removal of this issue from its agenda. Consequently, the Council’s periodic statutory meetings on the Moroccan Sahara, the related reports of the United Nations Secretary-General, and the briefings by his Personal Envoy would no longer be necessary.

The UN political process, which has unfortunately been marked by the procrastination of other parties and their stubbornness in creating deadlocks and perpetuating the status quo, is thus suspended. Similar actions will also be taken shortly within other UN bodies.

While expressing its satisfaction with this development, Morocco remains firmly committed to the ceasefire, with strict respect for its territorial integrity, national security, and the tranquility of its citizens.

Furthermore, the international momentum launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God preserve Him, will continue at the bilateral and regional levels. It has already succeeded in garnering significant support, as more than two-thirds of UN members, including permanent members of the Security Council and influential powers, clearly support autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the sole framework for resolving this regional dispute.”