UN Chief Warns of Escalation in Western Sahara After Peacekeeping Mission Ends

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of possible military escalation in Western Sahara on Sunday, after the UN peacekeeping mission there ended, Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu Agency reported.

Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the secretary-general remains concerned about the security situation across the territory and the risk of hostilities escalating.

He urged all parties to show "maximum restraint" and avoid actions that could raise tensions or weaken regional stability.

The UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, known as MINURSO, formally stopped operations after the UN Security Council failed to extend its mandate beyond Oct. 31.

A reduced team from the UN Department of Operational Support has started a liquidation phase, which includes returning equipment owned by troop-contributing countries and disposing of UN-owned assets.

Guterres said the departure of peacekeepers does not reduce the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination.

He also paid tribute to Special Representative Alexander Ivanko and honored 20 personnel who died during the mission.

Political negotiations will continue under the personal envoy of the UN chief, Staffan de Mistura.

The mission's end follows a Russian veto on Friday of a US-drafted resolution to renew its mandate.

Eleven council members voted in favor and three abstained.

Morocco has proposed broad autonomy for the territory under its sovereignty.

The Polisario Front continues to seek a referendum on self-determination, a position backed by Algeria.

The dispute dates back to 1975, when Spain ended its colonial rule of the territory.

It later escalated into armed conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front until a ceasefire in 1991, which the mission was set up to monitor.