'The alternative to diplomacy is war': Polisario warns of risks after collapse of Western Sahara UN mission

Last week's failure by the UN Security Council to renew the mandate of its Western Sahara mission after 35 years has deepened concerns that the conflict could escalate militarily while slipping further from international attention.

The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (Minurso) was established in 1991 to monitor a ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front, the armed group fighting for Sahrawi independence in the territory, and pave the way for a referendum.

That ceasefire collapsed in 2020 and the referendum never happened.

Sunday appeared to be the final nail in the coffin for the peace process, with Minurso's mandate expiring after Russia and the US both vetoed each other's resolution to extend it.