The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was formally established on April 29, 1991 pursuant to resolution 690. Its mandate was to implement the settlement plan on the question of Western Sahara. According to the plan, a transitional period would begin following a cease-fire and would end following the proclamation of the results of the referendum. MINURSO would verify the reduction of Moroccan troops in the territory; monitor the confinement of Moroccan and Frente POLISARIO troops to the designated locations; take steps with the parties to ensure the release of all Western Saharan political prisoners or detainees; oversee the exchange of prisoners of war; repatriate Saharan refugees; identify and register qualified voters; organize and ensure a free referendum, and proclaim the results.
Since it came into affect on September 6, 1991, the cease-fire between Morocco and the Frente POLISARIO has generally held. However, it has not been possible to commence the transitional period envisaged in the 1988 settlement plan. The parties continue to have divergent views on some key elements of the plan, in particular with regard to the criteria for voter eligibility. The Security Council has renewed the mandate of MINURSO on several occasions. However, it has expressed deep concern about the stalemate which has hindered the identification process and the consequent lack of progress towards completion of the settlement plan.
In its present limited deployment, MINURSO's tasks are restricted to monitoring and verifying the cease-fire between the parties. In 1996, the Security Council indicated that if meaningful progress was not made towards the completion of the settlement plan, MINURSO would be gradually withdrawn.
