Morocco and Mauritania coordinate over telecoms

Relations between Morocco and Mauritania are improving due to a recent meeting where their leaders discussed ways to coordinate across various sectors, including electricity network interconnection, and infrastructure.

Moroccan King Mohammed VI and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani met on December 20th 2024 to discuss the details of these improvements.

According to Yabiladi on January 23rd, a high up government source has informed Morocco of its consent to begin the electricity interconnection project. This project will include the integration of internet and telephone networks, operated by the Moroccan Telecom Group.

At the same time, Morocco are in the process of opening a new trade route with Mauritania. The construction of a 53-kilometer road section is underway, connecting Smara to the Mauritanian border. The construction began in February 2024 and is being undertaken by the Royal Armed Forces.

According to Atalayar The two countries have security, economic and political ties in common, such as cooperation in border trade and bilateral agreements.

A specialist in North African affairs,Dr Jamal Ait Adam, argues relations between Morocco and Mauritania require the important concept of regional integration due to their history and need for mutual cooperation. These regions have a vested interest in cooperation due to their geographical proximity between the Sahara and North Africa, placing them in the epicenter of potential security threats such as terrorism and human trafficking, as well as the sustained threat from the Polisario Front, who desire independence and the creation of a Sahrawi state.

Yabiladi, Atalayar