The fear is that Minurso’s departure could lead to renewed fighting.
The mission has monitored military developments and helped reduce the risk of escalation.
Aid organisation Oxfam warned that losing its monitoring and de-escalation role could undermine stability, with serious consequences for civilians.
Laaroussi admits that the mission’s departure could create security gaps.
“Minurso’s departure does not create the original conflict, because the conflict is already there, but it could aggravate an already fragile security environment,” he says.
The UN decision has also fuelled nationalist rhetoric online.
Several Moroccan users have shared AI-generated images of themselves in military uniform, declaring their readiness to fight for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
In Morocco, Western Sahara is widely regarded as a national cause. Political parties that are often divided on other issues are united in supporting the country’s claim to sovereignty over the territory.
Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita has said the end of the mission does not mean the end of the ceasefire, and that Rabat remains committed to it “within respect of its security and sovereignty.”
Polisario has not said what it will do next.
Any resumption of fighting could well draw in Algeria, as tensions with Morocco remain high.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), both countries significantly increased military spending last year, with SIPRI citing their dispute over Western Sahara as a key driver.
Algeria spent an estimated $25.4bn, more than four time Morocco’s $6.3bn.
