Antonio Guterres calls for MINURSO mandate renewal and denounces Polisario’s obstructions
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has recommended extending the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for one year, until October 31, 2026. In his report submitted to the Security Council, he warned about the restrictions imposed by the Polisario Front and stressed the need for stronger regional engagement as well as greater humanitarian support for the populations held in the Tindouf camps.
In this preliminary report obtained by Hespress, Guterres notes that the situation in the region remains marked by low-intensity tensions between Morocco and the Polisario. He reiterated his call for closer cooperation between Rabat and Algiers, which he considers essential for regional stability. The Secretary-General also urged the removal of obstacles the Polisario continues to impose on MINURSO’s operations, which limit the mission’s ability to fully carry out its mandate.
Morocco praised for its development initiatives
The report mentions a letter from Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations outlining the Kingdom’s efforts to promote socio-economic development in the Southern Provinces. These initiatives include strengthening infrastructure, improving access to drinking water, electricity, healthcare, and education.
According to the report, the national census conducted in September 2024 revealed a significant population increase in the Sahara, from 450,000 to around 600,000 inhabitants — a sign of the region’s economic and social dynamism.
Limited but persistent security incidents
On the ground, MINURSO continues to document sporadic exchanges of fire near the defense wall, mainly in the Mahbes area. The report notes that several rockets landed near a MINURSO site in Es-Smara, one of them only 200 meters away, though no casualties were reported. This was, however, the most serious incident near a MINURSO facility since hostilities resumed in 2020.
Meanwhile, between January and March 2025, the mission observed the construction of a new 93-kilometer road linking Es-Smara to Mauritania, reflecting Morocco’s ongoing modernization efforts in the region.
Alarming humanitarian conditions in Tindouf
Guterres also drew the Security Council’s attention to the worsening humanitarian situation in the Tindouf camps, located on Algerian territory. He reported rising rates of malnutrition and anemia, particularly among women and children, as well as chronic underfunding of aid programs. The Secretary-General urged an urgent mobilization of donors to meet these essential needs.
A mission hindered by the Polisario
Finally, the report denounces the obstructions imposed by the Polisario, which continues to deny MINURSO access to several areas east of the wall, preventing information gathering and investigations into reported incidents. These restrictions, combined with resource shortages and a lack of direct dialogue, undermine the mission’s ability to ensure effective monitoring and stability in the region.
Editorial team/le7tv
