Moroccan Sahara: Guterres Report Recommends MINURSO Renewal Until October 2027

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has recommended renewing the mandate of MINURSO for one more year, until Oct. 31, 2027, in the final version of his report on the Moroccan Sahara. The final text, adopted at the United Nations, carries no substantive changes from the earlier draft.

The report warns that without the mission, the risk of hostilities escalating would rise sharply. It points to continuing tension on the ground and to stalled efforts to reach a political settlement of the dispute.

Direct talks and the autonomy initiative

The Secretary-General calls for building on the resumption of direct dialogue between Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario. That dialogue has the backing of the United States and other member states, and the report says it should be used to move towards a political solution acceptable to the parties.

According to the report, the negotiations should explore granting the population of the Sahara genuine autonomy, described as one of the most workable solutions, in line with Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted in 2025.

Guterres urged the parties to halt hostilities and to refrain from any step that could erode trust or obstruct the political process. MINURSO, he stressed, would keep monitoring, investigating and reporting incidents, and would stay in contact with the parties to contain tensions and keep clashes from spreading.

Observers down to 153

The report also records ongoing logistical and financial difficulties affecting the mission. The number of military observers deployed has fallen to 153, against an authorised strength of 218.

That shortfall has forced cuts to ground patrols, demining work and air capacity. The Secretary-General also warned of the consequences continued hostilities would have for regional security and stability.