Marrakesh – Analysts who spoke to Al Jazeera Net believe that the recent visit of Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Sheikh Ghazouani to Morocco will open new horizons for cooperation between the two countries, by taking advantage of the economic opportunities and strategic partnership provided by the Atlantic Initiative, and implementing the project to transport Nigerian gas to Europe.
King Mohammed VI had received the Mauritanian President at the Royal Palace in Casablanca a few days ago, and a statement from the Royal Court indicated that “the meeting falls within the framework of the strong relations of trust and cooperation between the two countries, and the bonds of sincere brotherhood between the two brotherly peoples,” adding that “the leaders of the two countries appreciated the positive development.” Which is known by the Moroccan-Mauritanian partnership in all fields.”
This is the first visit by the Mauritanian president since he assumed power in his country in 2019.
In his comment to Al Jazeera Net, Moroccan academic Cherkaoui Al-Roudani points out that the visit comes in light of major strategic transformations on the African continent and in the Arab and Islamic world, which gives it great importance for strengthening bilateral relations.
The spokesman points out that economic integration constitutes an essential factor in strengthening relations, and a source of strategic gains for both parties, especially since Morocco has succeeded in achieving significant progress in areas such as agriculture, renewable energy, and infrastructure, and can be a strategic partner for Mauritania in supporting its development plans.
In turn, the professor of international relations, Abdel Fattah Belamshi, highlights to Al Jazeera Net that the meeting has its aftermath, because Mauritanian foreign policy has become characterized by a kind of openness, and guarantees the national interest more opportunities, through the president’s movements in his capacity as president of the African Union, which constituted a fundamental impetus. To develop and advance Mauritanian-African relations in several directions.
initiative
Morocco and Mauritania affirm their keenness to develop strategic projects to link the two neighboring countries, as well as to coordinate their contribution within the framework of the royal initiatives in Africa, especially the African-Atlantic gas pipeline, and the initiative to facilitate the access of the Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean, as stated in a statement from the Moroccan Royal Court.
Professor of International Relations Khaled Al-Shayat notes, in a statement to Al Jazeera Net, that Morocco is pursuing a policy of open cooperation and integration with Mauritania by virtue of its strategic location, and not a policy of hegemony or dictates.
While economic analyst Saeed Ohadi confirms that the Atlantic Partnership Initiative is a great opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the two countries, especially as it aims to strengthen the foundations of stability in the region and help the Sahel countries access the Atlantic Ocean.
It also makes major projects in the southern regions of the Kingdom, especially the port of the Interior, which is planned to be operational in 2029, a platform for strengthening Morocco’s economic presence in Africa, with a South-South cooperation policy approach.
The spokesman confirms that Morocco’s success in transferring its exports to Africa from $300 million to more than $3 billion over two decades, and the revenues of Moroccan companies investing in African countries reaching about $2.5 billion paves the way for economic integration.
This initiative also falls within Morocco’s strategy to transport Nigerian gas via a safe pipeline that passes through 11 countries, including Mauritania, all the way to Europe, with an expected budget exceeding $25 billion, all of which Mauritania may benefit from politically and economically due to its geographical location.
Business recovery
In turn, the head of the Moroccan Center for Parallel Diplomacy and Dialogue of Civilizations, Abdel Fattah Belamachi, says that the two neighboring countries provide each other with strategic depth and an essential axis, noting that regional and geopolitical balances in the past prevented these relations from being made more ideal.
He added in an interview with Al Jazeera Net that there is a shift in the direction of pushing for the development of relations between the two countries, after President Ould Ghazouani assumed the presidency in Mauritania, albeit slowly.
For his part, Moroccan economist Said Ouhadi highlights that trade relations between the two countries have witnessed a recovery since 2022, after they were experiencing fluctuations before that.
According to the Moroccan Embassy in Nouakchott and confirmation from the Moroccan Ministry of Economy and Finance, trade exchanges between the two countries during the year 2022 reached about 300 million dollars, after not exceeding 1.9 billion dollars during the period from 2009-2019, with an annual rate of less than 173 million dollars.
The academic explains this recovery in the year 2022, with the holding of the joint supreme committee between the two countries in March 2022 in its eighth session after 9 years of stagnation, which had a positive impact on the economic relations between the two neighbors.
He adds that imposing new taxes on Moroccan exports heading to Africa via Mauritania could have affected the relationship between the two countries, but Morocco clung to its open policy, as the first African investor in Mauritania in various sectors such as communications, banking, transfer and valorization of marine fishing and agricultural products, and the production of cement and building materials. Distribution of domestic gas, in addition to the distribution of petroleum products.
Morocco is also considered the first supplier in Africa to Mauritania, with about 50% of imported goods, and 73% of Mauritania’s total imports from Maghreb countries, as Moroccan exports to Mauritania consist of 80% of food and agricultural materials, manufactured materials, and transportation machinery and equipment, and vegetables and fruits also constitute 20%. Of the total of these goods.
Biosphere
Moroccan academic Abdel Fattah Belamachi notes that the accumulation taking place in the intra-relations is capable of achieving greater ambitions economically, commercially and culturally, because the two countries enjoy security and stability in a tense region and together they seek to give priority to the logic of development and well-being over the logic of conflict and attraction. They also constitute an objective basis in the event that their inter-relation develops as a basic starting point. To dispel the elements that falter in achieving Maghreb integration, and to strengthen North Africa’s negotiating position in the face of various international powers.
In turn, Professor of International Relations Khaled Chiat confirms that Morocco’s initiative to open up to the Atlantic interface and engage in integrated development projects is not only with Mauritania but with other countries, noting the support of great powers such as the United States, European countries, China, and perhaps Russia, for these projects.
He emphasizes that moving towards the Atlantic interface represents an important strategic alternative for Morocco, and serves the interests of all parties, while ensuring Mauritania’s political stability and protecting it from any regional interference.
As for Al-Roudani, he believes that in light of the increasing competition between regional and international parties, Mauritania finds itself facing a strategic choice: to cooperate with a regional axis that supports stability and development, or to remain within limited influences.
mediation
Morocco is not only keen to develop strategic projects with Mauritania, but also plays the role of mediator in a number of issues, as happened during the emerging dispute between the new Senegalese leadership and Mauritania over the exploitation of natural gas in the “La Grande Tortue” project.
Academic Cherkaoui Al-Roudani notes that Morocco was able to rebuild trust between the two parties, with its international and regional credibility that enables it to provide innovative solutions that divide the benefits and ensure a balance between the national interests of the two parties. This role reflects Morocco’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and avoiding conflicts that hinder development.
He adds that Morocco could propose complementary mechanisms that enhance cooperation between Mauritania and Senegal, especially in linking this proposal to the gas pipeline system (Nigeria-Morocco), as this link not only creates a practical framework for integration in the field of energy, but also transforms competition into a partnership that achieves economic gains. security, and enhances energy independence for the region.
The same speaker continues that to achieve this integration, Morocco can call for the establishment of a regional energy council, bringing together concerned parties to coordinate efforts, resolve disputes, and ensure maximum benefit from joint projects.
