Breaking: Lagouira, Western Sahara-Moroccan troops break in
Guerguerat crossing, heading to take over Lagouira’s province, which is under Mauritania’s control
Background of the most recent tension between Morocco and Mauritania
Since the Arab summit, tension has arisen between the two North African neighbors; Mauritania and Morocco. Hosting the 27th summit of the Arab league, Mauritania introduced Morocco with its internationally recognized borders without the Western Sahara within its map.
Importance of Lagouira
Lagouira is critical to Mauritania’s economic prosperity; the world’s second largest merchandise train crosses it, carrying thousands of tons of Iron core and other minerals, which Mauritania heavily depends on to keep the economic wheel rolling.
The strategic spot, in which Lagouira is situated, is an element that Morocco wants to control to gain more support from Mauritania to its illegal occupation to the Western Sahara.
Polisario’s stance
The Polisario front has long let Mauritania enjoy such authority under a bilateral agreement Expected reaction
However, today’s advance of Morocco’s military toward Lagouira will demand a reaction from the Polisario front and it counterpart Mauritania to deter any further expansion of the Moroccan kingdom whether to the liberated territories or even Mauritania it-self.
Posed threat
Morocco has repeatedly laid claim even to all Mauritania. Moroccan political parties, like Almustagbal still stand on those allegations.
Thereby, the current situation suggests that if there is not an international intervention, such escalation will lead to the destabilization of the whole region.
More as we get it.
Equipe Media
Western Sahara August 14th 2016
