MINURSO mission Western Sahara France statement after Russian veto, Digi Mart USA News (New York): France has reaffirmed its commitment to working toward a durable peace solution in Western Sahara, according to a statement by Jérôme Bonnafont, France’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, delivered at the General Assembly in New York on November 10, 2026.
Bonnafont said the United Nations and Morocco have made considerable progress toward a peaceful future for Western Sahara, in cooperation with the parties and with respect for the rights of the population, beginning with the right to self-determination. He noted that the MINURSO mission, created in 1991, reflected the international community’s aim of preserving regional peace and stability.
He cited significant advances in the political process over the past year, particularly the adoption of Resolution 2797, which enabled direct negotiations between the parties to resume. France thanked the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General and the United States for their efforts, and noted Morocco’s substantial work on its autonomy plan, which served as the basis for resuming discussions.
Bonnafont said France regrets that the Russian Federation chose to block this momentum with its veto. He argued that the veto was all the more unjustified because the Security Council majority had reaffirmed in the text put to a vote its support for the mediators and its position that any political solution must be just, durable and mutually acceptable.
France acknowledged the end of MINURSO, which played an essential stabilizing role by helping reduce the risk of escalation, and called on all parties to show restraint and respect the ceasefire. He said the mission’s withdrawal should not mean the end of the political process or of diplomatic efforts, and that the elements of the Security Council’s latest resolution on Western Sahara remain valid.
France expressed hope that dialogue would resume and renewed its support for the Personal Envoy in his facilitation mission based on Resolution 2797. It welcomed the United States’ stated intention to remain engaged.
The statement also said France considers the present and future of Western Sahara to fall within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty, and that Morocco’s autonomy plan constitutes the path to a just and durable political solution.
The humanitarian dimension, the statement added, also requires attention. France said it will continue to support the work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to develop durable solutions for Sahrawi refugees, who face deteriorating living conditions and a lack of prospects, in full respect of refugee law.
In conclusion, France said it wishes to reaffirm its willingness, despite the Russian veto, to work toward renewing MINURSO and toward a durable peace solution in Western Sahara, in the spirit of the work carried out successfully in recent months.
