Mohammed Aboudrar, an opposition member of the Guelmim-Oued Noun Regional Council, urged the council to lead in creating a land crossing in the Al Mahbas region at the border with Mauritania.
He emphasized the positive impact this initiative would have on the region, within the framework of the Royal Atlantic Initiative.
During the July session of the Regional Council, Aboudarar underscored the importance of the proposal, highlighting the presence of a port in Sidi Ifni as pivotal in establishing a trade route that could revitalize the entire region.
He expressed confidence in the project’s smooth implementation, contrasting it with the challenges faced in Guerguerat, likening it to a dream that could become a central demand for the people of Assa-Zag, considering the economic opportunities it would create.
Aboudarar’s remarks about the kingdom’s potential ‘second land crossing’ with its southern neighbor have sparked reactions among residents, who stress the significance of Morocco having another crossing with Mauritania and its positive economic implications for the region.
In November 2020, Morocco took action to secure the Guerguerat border crossing to northern Mauritania, ensuring safety for economic activities and travelers heading into Africa.
Abdelfettah Alfatihi, a political researcher specializing in Saharan and regional affairs, emphasized that the proposal aligns with Morocco’s ambition for economic integration with Sahel and Sahara countries, contingent on cooperation between Nouakchott and Rabat.
Al Fatihi believes that Morocco and Mauritania can successfully implement the proposal through cooperation and resistance to external interference.
Security measures for the proposed border crossing will be stringent, similar to those established during the re-securing of the Guerguerat crossing three and a half years ago, according to the expert.
Al Fatihi added that having two border crossings in the Sahara region would be advantageous for Morocco’s economic ties with foreign nations, especially the proposed Al Mahbas crossing due to its direct alignment with northern Mauritania.
Economic relations between Morocco and Mauritania have recently seen revitalization, driven by bilateral initiatives aimed at enhancing cooperation.
Moroccan investors are eyeing Mauritania for expansion, particularly in sectors such as services, renewable energy, and agriculture, viewing it as a strategic gateway to Africa.
Khalid Homs, an academic researcher in economic affairs, emphasized the crucial nature of the Al Mahbes border crossing proposal, anticipating benefits for trade with Mauritania and Africa, as well as improved regional security amid significant challenges.
Homs highlighted that the proposal aligns with the Royal Atlantic Initiative’s emphasis on infrastructure collaboration among regional nations and is expected to have a positive economic impact on the Guelmim-Oued Noun region and Morocco as a whole, within the framework of national efforts to engage economically with Africa.
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