Casablanca — According to Arabic newspaper Al Quds Al Arabi, Mauritania has forbidden Moroccan merchandise trucks from entering Mauritanian territory.
This is the latest in a series of events that display worsening relations between the two countries.
Tensions between Mauritania and Morocco have been steadily rising for the past few years. Last week, French magazine “Jeune Afrique” wrote about the worsening diplomatic relations between the two countries, which was primarily caused by Mauritania’s backing of the Polisario Front and its deployment of Mauritanian troops to Lagouira, Morocco.
Business relations are also deteriorating. Mauritania’s refusal to let Moroccan merchandise trucks enter its territory is a huge barrier to improving this relationship.
According to Moroccan publication le360, Morocco and Mauritania had actually signed agreements relative to merchandise transportation. While these agreements were upheld, dozens of Moroccan trucks travelled every day through Mauritania to sell items like vegetables, fruits, and other food products to Mauritania and to other Sub-Saharan countries. This is no longer allowed.
The “no man’s land” zone between the two countries has since become a territory known for illegal activity, where drugs and illegal cars are bought and sold.
Most recently, when Morocco attempted to reintegrate the African Union, the Moroccan King formed a delegation in charge of informing the Mauritanian President of the nation’s return. As it turns out, the President refused to meet the delegation. Additionally, as part of the latest Arab League Summit, Mauritania released a logo which did not include the Sahara as part of Morocco.
If anything is an important indicator of the worsening relations between the two countries, it is that Mauritania has not had an Ambassador in Rabat for nearly 5 years.
