UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara
Mission des Nations Unies pour un Referendum au Sahara Occidental (MINURSO)
1991 - 1994
Op Cedilla
Australian Deployment Dates: 5 September 1991 to 25 May 1994.
Strength: Total of 225 personnel. Consisting of 5 x 45 person contingents.
Area of Operations (AO): Morocco, Algeria, Western Sahara and the Canary Islands.
Purpose: Since Spain's unilateral withdrawal from the Western Sahara territory in 1975, the Saharawi people (Polisario) have fiercely
resisted annexation by neighbouring Morocco. MINURSO was established in September 1991 to monitor the ceasefire and supervise a referendum on whether
the Saharawi people wanted independence or incorporation into Morocco.
Comments: The natural hazards synonymous with the Sahara have been compounded by the man-made hazards of an area that has
been a battlefield for the last 78 years. The mine hazards and the exceptionally harsh conditions of the Sahara were a part of the every day living
of the Australian Contingent, that was dispersed over four areas.
Australia provided the mission's 45-strong Force Communications Unit, until the end of 1994, when the Australian Government
withdrew the Unit. The contingent was dispersed over four areas and operated in exceptionally harsh climatic and environmental conditions. The referendum has
been postponed several times and is yet to occur. It is perceived that Australians will again take on the role of the Force
Communications Unit in the future.
Died: 1 - On 21 June 1993, Army Doctor Major Susan Felsche, Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, became the first
Australian female soldier to die in a multinational peacekeeping operation when she was killed in an aircraft crash.
Veteran Entitlement Act (VEA) : Schedule 3; 5 September 1991 to 25 May 1994.
Service Type: Non-warlike.
Gazette: S298 of 21 Oct 91
Awards & Qualifying Periods:
 ASM 75 + |
 MINURSO Medal |