Russia, US Veto Rival Sahara Resolutions

On Oct. 30, 2026, Russia vetoed a U.S. Western Sahara draft that had 11 yes votes, one no, and three abstentions. That text would have ended MINURSO on April 30, 2027, created a new political mission, and renamed it MINUSO. Russia's rival draft to extend MINURSO unchanged to Oct. 31, 2027 got three yes votes, one no, and 11 abstentions and missed the nine-yes threshold. The mission mandate was due to expire Oct. 31, 2026. In 2025 the Council backed Morocco's autonomy claim as a negotiation basis without mentioning a referendum. What is contested: AP says the Russian draft failed without a needed U.S. veto; Yabiladi calls it a U.S. veto. Sidi Omar called the U.S. draft an "extremely dangerous, unprecedented departure" that would "trigger further tension and instability," warning Polisario would disengage, and said sovereignty "belongs exclusively to the Sahrawi people" with a right to self-determination and independence. Sarah MacIntosh expressed "immense disappointment" at Russia's veto, said it jeopardises the UN Mission and risks setting back the political process, and called Morocco's 2007 autonomy proposal "the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis." Neither draft passed; the mission's future after Oct. 31 was unresolved.