International peacekeepers have ended their multi-decade deployment in Western Sahara following a diplomatic deadlock between global powers. The United States and Russia blocked rival proposals to extend the mandate, cutting off formal international mediation efforts. Originating over 50 years ago after Spanish colonial rule, the dispute between Morocco and the Polisario Front remains completely unresolved. Observers now fear the vacuum left by the terminating mission could spark renewed fighting between the competing claimants.
Key points
The diplomatic impasse between major world powers has brought an abrupt halt to decades o…: The diplomatic impasse between major world powers has brought an abrupt halt to decades of international peacekeeping efforts.
Decades of United Nations mediation have ended without resolving the territorial claims t…: Decades of United Nations mediation have ended without resolving the territorial claims that emerged after Spanish colonial rule.
The sudden departure of the peacekeeping mission threatens to trigger renewed fighting be…: The sudden departure of the peacekeeping mission threatens to trigger renewed fighting between the opposing factions.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Inside Story
What’s the future of the Western Sahara conflict?
The United Nations ends its peacekeeping mission in the disputed territory.
It’s one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts.
The dispute over the territory of Western Sahara started more than 50 years ago. It began with the end of Spanish colonial rule in the region.
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Since then, both Morocco and the Polisario Front have claimed the Western Sahara.
In the 1990s, the United Nations tried to reach a settlement, and deployed a peacekeeping mission to the region.
Last week, that effort ended when Russia and the United States blocked proposals to extend the mission’s mandate.
So, could this development lead to renewed fighting?
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