UN Security Council Fails to Extend MINURSO Mandate Due to US-Russia Veto Standoff

The UN Security Council failed to extend the mandate of the MINURSO peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara due to a standoff between the US and Russia, who vetoed each other's proposals. The US draft resolution, supported by 11 members, sought to extend the mission for a year, reduce military personnel, and make Morocco's autonomy plan the sole basis for negotiations. Russia's counter-proposal, backed by three members, aimed to extend the mission without changes. The failure to agree threatens the end of the UN peace mission in the region.