United Nations Security Council

The United Nations mission MINURSO ceased operations on 1 Nov 2026 after the Security Council did not renew its mandate, following Russia’s veto of a U.S. draft resolution and the defeat of a competing Russian proposal to extend the force. Morocco’s royal palace welcomed the non‑renewal as a step toward removing the dispute from the Council, while the Algeria‑backed Polisario Front and Algeria’s foreign ministry called the decision unacceptable. The mission, established in 1991, had monitored a ceasefire and was meant to organise a long‑delayed referendum.

Russian President Vladimir Putin opened the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on Wednesday 28 Oct, telling African leaders that Russia is a natural ally and accusing the West of exploiting the continent's resources and using debt to slow growth. Delegations from 48 countries attended, including 22 heads of state. Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, current African Union chair, co-chairs the two-day meeting. Putin said Russian firms want manufacturing plants in Africa to bypass Western sanctions, and cited 2025 trade of $27 billion, down 2.4 % from 2024. Putin plans one-on-one talks with most attending leaders.

Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, to revive peace talks, according to the Wall Street Journal. Trump confirmed the outreach but described it as centred on delivering medical supplies, and denied directing it toward peace negotiations. The exchange has focused on a possible framework for talks rather than peace-proposal specifics. Rezaei has said Iran will not negotiate unless its key demands are met first. The US has not struck Iran since early September, but US officials have told Middle East countries to prepare for possible renewed action after the 3 Nov midterm elections. The war began in late February and is in its eighth month.