The United States said Friday it was prepared to work with the United Nations to ensure an orderly withdrawal of MINURSO personnel after Russia vetoed an American resolution to restructure the mission, hours before Morocco’s Royal Office called for its departure from the southern provinces.
Speaking after the failed vote, US Ambassador Mike Waltz acknowledged that the non-renewal of MINURSO’s mandate would result in a reduction of its presence.
“Since this vote will result in a drawdown, we need to ensure that it be orderly and stable, that it protects UN personnel and addresses legitimate security and humanitarian needs,” Waltz told the Security Council.
The ambassador made the remarks after Russia blocked the American draft despite support from 11 Council members. Moscow’s competing proposal for a one-year extension of MINURSO’s existing mandate subsequently failed, receiving three votes in favor, one against and 11 abstentions.
Waltz defended Washington’s refusal to maintain the mission under its existing framework, arguing that the referendum it was originally established to organize had long ceased to be a realistic prospect.
“We will not lend our vote to business as usual in the face of such conditions, neither will we lend it to a mission whose very name perpetuates something that cannot be done,” he said.
He cited decades of unsuccessful efforts to organize a referendum and deteriorating humanitarian conditions among Sahrawi refugees in the Tindouf camps.
The US proposal would have renamed MINURSO as MINUSO, removing the reference to a referendum, and established Morocco’s autonomy initiative as the sole basis for negotiations.
Following the rejection of Russia’s competing proposal, Waltz reiterated Washington’s commitment to working with the UN Secretary-General on arrangements to protect UN personnel and address security and humanitarian concerns.
He also said US diplomatic efforts would continue alongside the United Nations.
“President Trump brought the parties back to the table, alongside the United Nations and the Secretary General’s personal envoy. That work should not stop,” Waltz said.
Later Friday, Morocco’s Royal Office welcomed the non-renewal of MINURSO’s mandate and said the mission’s personnel, vehicles, equipment and symbols should leave the southern provinces in the coming days.
The mission’s mandate expires on October 31.
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