Advancing Political Solutions to Conflict 

MINURSO supports the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General (PESG) to promote the political process between the parties through the provision of logistical and operational support as needed, and though its deployment across the divided territory of Western Sahara, where its monitoring activities and reporting contribute to conflict de-escalation, a necessary pre-condition for the political process to unfold.  

Monitoring conflict dynamics 

Under the leadership of the Force Commander and the authority of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, United Nations Military Observers (UNMOs) conduct daily monitoring, investigating and verification activities across the Territory. 

The current mandate is carried out by unarmed UNMOs, senior commissioned officers from diverse national backgrounds, deployed in nine (9) Team Sites on both sides of the berm and in Tindouf. UNMOs at each of the Team Sites conduct ground and air patrols to visit the military locations of the parties, observe military developments and activities, investigate and report on conflict-related incidents, monitor exercises and mine action, and maintain a visible UN presence. MINURSO is proud to have military observers from 35 different Member States, as well as one of the highest proportion of uniformed female peacekeepers in UN peace operations , around one fifth of all military observers.  

The military component includes the authorized strength of 245  military personnel, including 218 UNMOs, 20 medical staff and 7 support staff (Warrant Officers/NCOs). 

MINURSO’s operations are governed by a series of bilateral Military Agreements with both parties: 

Military Agreement No. 1 (1997–1998): Establishes the ceasefire modalities and delineates the Territory into specific zones (Buffer Strip, Restricted Areas, Areas of Limited Restrictions). 

Military Agreements No. 2 & 3 (1999): Define the framework for demining and explosive ordnance disposal activities with each party.