Mauritania-Morocco Talks Raise Tensions with Algeria

In a statement, the Royal Cabinet indicated that "this meeting is part of the strong relations of trust and cooperation between the two countries, as well as the sincere fraternal ties between the two brotherly peoples". On this occasion, "the leaders of the two countries welcomed the positive development of the Moroccan-Mauritanian partnership in all areas", adds the note.

Involuntarily involved in the conflict in the Sahara due to its geographical position between Algeria and Morocco, Mauritania has so far displayed a certain neutrality on this issue. But for some time now, it has chosen to strengthen its cooperation with Rabat, to the detriment of Algiers. A posture adopted since the operation carried out by the Moroccan army against Sahrawis at the Guerguerat border post in November 2022, analyzes Naoufal Bouamri, a Sahara specialist.

In reaction to this rapprochement between Rabat and Nouakchott, Algeria has recalled its ambassador to Mauritania, Mohamed Benattou, who has been in office for three years, and replaced him with Amin Abderrahmane Saïd-Abdessameud. "We have observed a similar attitude towards several European countries, which illustrates the nature of Algerian diplomacy, based on emotion and the desire to control the sovereign decisions of other states," says the political analyst.