Upcoming U.N. Security Council Meetings on Moroccan Sahara
The United Nations Security Council is set to convene two significant closed-door meetings on the Moroccan Sahara on October 7 and 8, 2026. These discussions are pivotal as they will pave the way for the renewal of the U.N. mission in the region, known as MINURSO, which is tasked with overseeing the ceasefire and facilitating a political resolution to the long-standing dispute. Notably, Greece holds the rotating presidency of the council this month, marking an important moment for diplomatic engagement.
During these meetings, council members will receive briefings regarding the latest developments concerning the mission and the broader political landscape surrounding the Sahara. As the current mandate of MINURSO is scheduled to expire on October 31, 2026, these discussions will be crucial for assessing the situation and determining the next steps in the resolution process.
Recent reports from the U.N. Secretary-General, released on October 1, have set the stage for these discussions, following the Security Council's adoption of Resolution 2797 a year prior, which extended MINURSO’s mandate through the end of October 2026. This resolution emphasized the necessity for negotiations to occur without preconditions, using Morocco’s autonomy proposal as a foundation for reaching a "just, lasting, and mutually acceptable resolution" to the ongoing dispute.
Moroccan analysts have indicated that the briefings in October will enable council members to evaluate the political process's advancements before negotiations commence on a new resolution. Analyst Mohamed Al-Ghaith Maa El Ainine highlighted that the council will scrutinize how involved parties have responded to the framework established in Resolution 2797. These meetings will thus serve as a precursor to the negotiations surrounding the forthcoming MINURSO mandate, which the council must finalize prior to the expiration of the current mandate at the month’s end.
As reported by en.hespress.com.
