The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)

The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was established by Security Council resolution 690 (1991) of 29 April 1991, in accordance with "the settlement proposals", as accepted on 30 August 1988 by Morocco and the Frente Popular para la Liberación de Saguia el-Hamra y de Río de Oro (Frente POLISARIO). The Secretary-General's implementation plan, approved by the Security Council, provided for a transitional period during which the Special Representative of the Secretary-General would have sole and exclusive responsibility over all matters relating to a referendum in which the people of Western Sahara would choose between independence and integration with Morocco. The Special Representative would be assisted in his tasks by a deputy special representative and by an integrated group of United Nations civilian, military and civilian police personnel, to be known as the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara.

The following photographs on the work of MINURSO and the people of Western Sahara were all taken by UN Photographer Evan Schneider in June 2003. Please click on the photo image for a larger view.