Integral Moroccan map display during Morocco-Mauritania military meeting triggers separatists

Media outlets aligned with the Polisario Front have denounced the appearance of a full map of Morocco, including its southern provinces, during a recent meeting between a Moroccan military delegation and Mauritanian military officials in the capital Nouakchott.

The Polisario-affiliated media claimed the move signals Mauritania’s alignment with Morocco’s stance around the Sahara issue. It warned that “any symbolic or explicit support for Moroccan sovereignty over the southern provinces may disrupt the region’s political balance and strengthen Morocco’s position on the international stage.”

The controversy followed a visit by Rear Admiral Khalil Beshri, Deputy Inspector General of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces in charge of press relations, to Mauritania’s Directorate of Communication and Public Relations.

There, he met with Colonel Sidi Mohamed Hadeed, the Mauritanian director of communications, to discuss future cooperation in institutional communication and public affairs.

The visit included a tour of the directorate’s facilities and concluded with a symbolic gift exchange, group photographs, and the signing of the directorate’s guest book by the Moroccan delegation.

The event, which featured a souvenir containing the full Moroccan map extending from Tangier to Lagouira, was not objected to by the Mauritanian side, something viewed as diplomatically significant by observers.

Hamdatt Lahcen, a researcher in international relations and expert on the Sahara issue, told Hespress AR that the Polisario Front, as an armed separatist movement, is facing increasing political and structural decline. He said the group’s original mission is no longer seen as viable by the international community and remains largely dependent on Algeria’s military establishment.

Lahcen described the Moroccan delegation’s visit and gift exchange as standard diplomatic protocol, adding that the inclusion of Morocco’s full map was a subtle, symbolic gesture.

“Mauritania’s acceptance of the gift reflects its deep understanding of Morocco’s historical ties with the Sahrawi people, including their allegiance to the Alaouite monarchy, and the cultural, religious, and scholarly bonds shared by both nations,” he said.

He further noted the historical context of the Polisario’s founding, which began in Mauritanian territory and included leaders of Mauritanian origin. “For years, Polisario elements enjoyed freedom of movement and trade in Mauritania. This background gives added symbolic and strategic weight to Mauritania’s acceptance of the souvenir map.”

Lahcen suggested that this act could be interpreted as implicit recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed territories and might pave the way for formal recognition in the future, especially considering the robust political, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries.

In a separate comment to Hespress AR, Mauritanian international relations scholar Abdellah Ould Amr noted that the map’s appearance during the meeting could be read as an official endorsement of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara.

He cautioned, however, that such symbolic gestures must be accompanied by clear diplomatic messaging to avoid misunderstandings, particularly in the context of regional tensions involving Algeria. “Transparent communication remains one of the best ways to prevent misinterpretations,” he said.

Ould Amr emphasized that Morocco and Mauritania share historic, resilient relations and that the exchange of military visits is primarily intended to bolster cooperation in public relations and institutional communication, not to stoke regional tensions.

He concluded by stressing the importance of sustained dialogue and coordination between neighboring countries to build mutual trust and safeguard regional stability. “Symbolic gestures should be interpreted within the framework of collaborative diplomacy, not as signs of formal alignment,” he said.