UN Extends Western Sahara Peacekeeping Mission

The mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in conflict-torn Western Sahara, known as MINURSO, gained another year under a resolution by the U.N. Security Council.

The resolution urged warring parties in Western Sahara - Morocco and rebel group Frente Polisario - to continue their dialogue under the guidance of the U.N. secretary-general.

Last week, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern about alleged human rights violations amid the conflict but reassured Frente Polisario’s secretary-general, Mohamed Abdelaziz, that the U.N. will keep “an active and balanced engagement in the search for a solution to the Western Sahara conflict that provides for the self-determination for the people of Western Sahara.”