Russia Vetoes United Nations Referendum On Western Sahara

Russia has vetoed a US-led resolution affecting Western Sahara, at the United Nations Security Council on the grounds that it did not support the self-determination ambitions of the regional Sahrawi people. The Western Sahara is classified as a ‘non-self-governing territory’ and is the last major unresolved colonial/territorial disputes in Africa. Morocco claims it as part of its territory, while Algeria and the local population prefer it becomes independent. We discuss the geopolitical position, why Russia voted as it did and...