Mauritania whose economy has been hit by Polisario’s banditry is set to reinforce its military presence in its northern borders in a move that signals Nouakchott’s determination to avert the Polisario’s incursions into its territories. The Algeria-backed Polisario separatists have blocked a critical border passage linking Morocco to Mauritania for three weeks. Morocco then extended its security wall to the Mauritanian border barring the road once and for all for the Polisario. The Mauritanian cabinet has approved a decree to declare the northern borders a critical military area allowing for an increased reinforcement of its forces in the north. It is worth mentioning that a few days after Morocco’s successful opening of the Guerguarat border post, a senior Moroccan military delegation discussed cooperation prospects with Mauritanian peers.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 09, 2021 10:07 UTC