Algiers (Algeria), October 31, 2026 (SPS) – The international humanitarian organization Oxfam has expressed deep concern over the UN Security Council’s failure to renew the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), warning that five decades of Sahrawi displacement must not be met with continued international political inaction.
Reacting to the diplomatic deadlock in New York following the expiration of MINURSO’s mandate on October 31, Marco Di Cecco, Oxfam’s Country Director in Algeria, who oversees the organization's humanitarian response in the Sahrawi refugee camps, described the Security Council’s failure as a major setback for the Sahrawi people.
"The Security Council’s failure to renew MINURSO’s mandate marks a significant setback for the Sahrawis whose right to self-determination remains unfulfilled after five decades, while generations of Sahrawis continue to live in displacement," Di Cecco stated. "They must not be allowed to bear the consequences of international political inaction."
Highlighting the risks of terminating or disrupting the UN mission's operations, the Oxfam representative underscored the vital security role MINURSO plays on the ground.
"The loss of MINURSO’s monitoring and de-escalation functions risks undermining security and stability, with serious consequences to civilians and prospects of a peaceful resolution," Di Cecco warned, calling on the Security Council to "act urgently to ensure the continuation of these functions and support an inclusive political process in line with international law and the Sahrawi’s right to self-determination."
Addressing the severe humanitarian crisis in the refugee camps, Oxfam called on international donors to ensure that political paralysis at the UN level does not exacerbate the living conditions of thousands of Sahrawi refugees who rely on external assistance.
"At the same time, the international community must not allow this political deadlock to deepen the humanitarian crisis facing the Sahrawi refugees," Di Cecco urged. "Donors should ensure predictable, sustained and adequate humanitarian funding that provides people with access to safe water, food, shelter, and other essential services. Humanitarian assistance in the Sahrawi camps must be at scale and provided based on need, without discrimination or political conditionality."
Concluding his statement, Di Cecco stressed that the perseverance of the Sahrawi population over fifty years of exile should never be exploited to justify inaction or compromise their fundamental rights.
"After five decades of displacement, Sahrawi resilience must never become an excuse for international inaction, or for them to be asked to surrender their rights," he concluded.
The UN Security Council failed on October 30 to adopt a resolution extending the mandate of MINURSO. As the Penholder, the United States sought to advance a unilateral draft reflecting its national position, while rejecting substantive amendments proposed by several member states to align the text with the norms of international law and the principle of self-determination.
Following Washington’s refusal to accommodate these key concerns, the Russian Federation vetoed the American draft and introduced a counter-proposal for a technical, one-year extension. However, the US subsequently voted against the Russian resolution, leaving both proposals blocked. This unprecedented dual veto has plunged the Security Council into an institutional crisis, leaving MINURSO’s political mandate in limbo as it expires Today. (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)
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