History
The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, MINURSO, was established in May 1991 to monitor the ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front and to organise a referendum in which the people of Western Sahara would choose between integration with Morocco and independence. The referendum has never been held, and the mission continues to monitor the ceasefire to this day.
Australia made an important early contribution: a communications unit served with MINURSO from 1991, providing the mission's signals and communications across the vast desert, one of a series of Australian communications deployments to United Nations missions in that era. The medal is awarded for the qualifying period of service. As a foreign award it takes its place in the Australian Order of Wearing among the United Nations medals.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal follows the standard United Nations design: a circular bronze medallion 35 millimetres in diameter, the obverse bearing the emblem of the United Nations, a world map seen from the north pole within a wreath of olive branches, surmounted by the letters UN. The reverse carries the words IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE in relief. United Nations medals are issued unnamed, and the mission is identified by the colours of the ribbon.
The ribbon
A wide sandy-brown centre with UN blue ends.
The ribbon has a very wide central band of sandy brown for the Sahara Desert, with a narrow band of United Nations blue at each end.
Clasps
United Nations Number 1
A silver numeral worn on the ribbon of the medal. United Nations numerals record the number of qualifying periods of service completed with the mission.
United Nations Number 2
A silver numeral recording a second qualifying period of service with the mission.
United Nations Number 3
A silver numeral recording a third qualifying period of service with the mission.
United Nations Number 4
A silver numeral recording a fourth qualifying period of service with the mission.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded for service with the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara.
- The qualifying period of service with the mission from 1991 is required; an Australian communications unit served in the mission's early years;
- A numeral on the ribbon marks a further tour of the same mission;
- As a foreign award it takes its place in the Australian Order of Wearing among the United Nations medals.
Order of wear
United Nations medals are awarded by the United Nations and accepted and worn by Australians who served the mission. In the Australian Order of Wearing they are worn after Australian honours and campaign awards, among the foreign awards, in the sequence set for United Nations service, which generally follows the dates of the missions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UN Western Sahara Medal awarded for?
Service with the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, MINURSO, established in 1991 to monitor the ceasefire and organise a referendum on the territory's future.
What was Australia's role?
Australia contributed a communications unit that served with the mission from 1991, providing signals across the desert.
What do the ribbon colours mean?
A very wide sandy brown centre for the Sahara Desert, with United Nations blue at each end.
Has the referendum been held?
No; the referendum the mission was created to organise has never taken place, and the mission continues to monitor the ceasefire.
What is the qualifying period?
The set qualifying period of service with the mission.
Is it named to the recipient?
No; United Nations medals are issued unnamed.