- The Western Sahara conflict
- Mauritania and its geographical position
- The importance of Mauritian-Moroccan partnerships
Morocco and Mauritania maintain security, economic and political ties, such as cooperation in border trade and bilateral agreements. In addition, Nouakchott seeks to maintain good relations with Algeria in order to maintain a diplomatic balance in the region.
A recent meeting between Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani marked an improvement in relations between the two countries, according to North African experts.
Dr. Jamal Ait Adam, specialist in North African affairs, mentions in a report published by Modern Policy that relations between Morocco and Mauritania embody a crucial concept of regional integration due to their history and mutual cooperation.
One of the key points of this partnership is the geographical proximity between the Sahelo-Saharan region and North Africa, which places them on the front line facing security threats such as terrorism, organized crime, human trafficking. humans and illegal migration.
The Western Sahara conflict
After Morocco’s independence in 1956, the country claimed Western Sahara as part of its territory. In 1975, the Green March was organized: 350,000 citizens mobilized peacefully towards the Sahara to pressure Spain to leave the territory.
The protagonists of the conflict are Morocco, Mauritania and the Polisario Front. The latter is an independence movement that fights for the creation of a Sahrawi state and is supported by Algeria, which established the government in exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in 1976.
Mauritania is also a key player, because it claims, like Morocco, a part of Western Sahara which was divided during the Madrid agreements, Morocco taking the north and Mauritania the south.
During the administration of the Southern Sahara, the Mauritanian government was attacked by the Polisario Front and signed a peace agreement with the Front, renouncing its territorial claim to the Sahara in 1979.
Mauritania and its geographical position
Mauritania therefore finds itself in a critical geopolitical situation due to its border relations with Algeria to the east and the Moroccan Sahara to the north.. Despite the tensions, Nouakchott maintains a neutral position in this conflict and participates in initiatives that contribute to creating a new political and economic climate in the region, such as its participation in the gas pipeline linking Nigeria to West African countries and to Europe.
The geopolitical and security challenges facing the Sahel and the sub-Saharan region allow Mauritania to play an active role in easing the growing political crisis between Morocco and Algeria.
This is why Moroccan-Mauritanian relations reflect a consensus of strategic viewsfocused on regional integration and sustainable development, with the development of the southern provinces of Morocco being the keystone of the economic strategy.
Morocco-launched autonomous initiative takes unified approach to transform southern provinces into crucial economic corridor linking Africa and Europe. Modern infrastructure, industrial zones and renewable energy underline the potential of these regions to become global centers of investment and trade.
One of the strategic plans that bring this concept to life is the Atlantic seaport of Dakhla. It represents the strengthening of maritime connectivity between Africa, Europe and South America, which stimulates regional trade.
The importance of Mauritian-Moroccan partnerships
The Mauritanian government sees this project as an opportunity to strengthen economic relations with Morocco.in addition to taking advantage of the port of Dakhla to reach international markets.
This partnership has the potential to promote joint initiatives that strengthen the role of both states as key players in the regional balance of power, whether by contributing to regional security or launching projects that encourage integration. African.
Furthermore, it could serve as a model for regional cooperation, strengthening the capacity of the two states and the region to address common challenges today and in the future.
This cooperation promotes sustainable development in several areasincluding cybersecurity and advanced surveillance and research techniques, which will enable both countries to strengthen their defense capabilities and meet new challenges.
Maritime and military cooperation will develop a broader network of regional partnerships involving Sahel and West African states to create a unified security framework. Joint training and sharing of experience will enable the armed forces of the two countries to face unexpected challenges.
Moroccan-Mauritanian relations require a flexible and open political framework for the realization of the strategic partnership and its capabilities. A strong economic framework is also important, as it will enable lasting political success.
This partnership must have a global vision that strengthens the mutual development of key and sustainable financial projectssuch as regional infrastructure, in order to reshape the geopolitical and economic situation of North Africa and the Maghreb region to build a more integrated continent.
