Western Sahara, a territory on the northwest coast of Africa bordered by Morocco, Mauritania and Algeria, was under Spanish control until 1976. Both Morocco and Mauritania affirmed their claim to the territory, a claim opposed by the Frente Popular para la Liberación de Saguia el-Hamra y de Río de Oro (Frente POLISARIO), and fighting ensued. These tensions led to the establishment of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) in 1991, in accordance with the settlement plan for a transitional period for the preparation of a referendum, in which the people of Western Sahara would choose between independence and integration with Morocco. Despite that the ceasefire has generally held since that time, negotiations between the two sides have repeatedly deadlocked, and a referendum has yet to occur.
Western Sahara | MINURSO
How MINURSO Supports U.S. Interests
The U.S. has long supported fostering a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution in the Western Sahara. The MINURSO mandate furthers that goal by performing the following tasks.
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“Development is under-sung. Peace & security make headlines and human rights are an enduring priority. But how do we reach sustained peace, security, & human rights? Development. It’s the majority of the UN’s work”: @LJMaguire of @UNDP via @BetterWorldOrg