MINURSO acts as a conflict-prevention mechanism by monitoring, investigating and reporting on the military activities by the parties and on general developments in Western Sahara. It works with the parties to promote a cessation of hostilities.
The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was established in 1991 to support the settlement proposals and ceasefire reached by Morocco and Frente POLISARIO.
Today, following the resumption of hostilities in November 2020, MINURSO continues to advocate for their cessation, while also focusing on mine action operations to help protect the local population from explosives left behind by the war, and on observing the security situation across its area of operations. The Mission also provides logistical support to the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to Western Sahara, who leads the political process between the parties under the auspices of the United Nations.