(UNITED NATIONS MISSION FOR THE REFERENDUM IN WESTERN SAHARA)

The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was established by Security Council resolution 690 of 29 April 1991 in accordance with settlement proposals 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 settlement plan, as approved by the Security Council, provided for a transitional period for the preparation of a referendum in which the people of Western Sahara would choose between independence and integration with Morocco. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General was to have sole and exclusive responsibility over matters relating to the referendum and was to be assisted in his tasks by an integrated group of civilian, military and civilian police personnel, to be known as the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara..

On 29 April 2016, the Security Council adopted resolution 2285, calling upon the parties of the conflict to continue to show political will in order to enter into a more intensive and substantive phase of negotiations.

In mission, 41 Military Observers and 01 Staff Officer in the Sri Lanka Army have participated and presently, 01 Female Military Observer from the Sri Lanka Army is serving in MINURSO.

Sri Lanka Army deployed 41 Military Observers and 01 Staff Officer in MINURSO mission from 15 January 2003 up to date and presently, 01 Female Military Observer is serving in the mission.