Western Sahara, a Territory on the north-west coast of Africa bordered by Morocco, Mauritania and Algeria, was administered by Spain until 1976. Both Morocco and Mauritania affirmed their claim to the territory, a claim opposed by the Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro). In 1979 Mauritania surrendered all claims over the region.

The ensuing guerrilla war waged by Polisario against Moroccan forces was ended in 1991 following a UN brokered cease-fire agreement and settlement plan, which included provisions for the holding of a referendum for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.

On the basis of this settlement plan and following the recommendation of the UN Secretary General, the Security Council decided in 1991 to establish a UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) whose main aim would be to monitor the cease-fire agreement and the necessary preparations for the organization of the referendum.