Morocco expels two Norwegians from Laayoune

Moroccan authorities in Laayoune expelled two Norwegians on Sunday, November 3. The two had arrived on Friday, November 1, intending to «conduct investigations» into Morocco's renewable energy projects in the Sahara, according to a Spanish media outlet.

During their visit, they met with members of associations affiliated with the Polisario Front to learn more about these projects.

The visit followed a recent appeal on October 24 by the Norwegian Support Committee for the Saharawi People, which urged the Norwegian shipping company Green Reefers to cease its activities in the Sahara.

In a similar incident in November 2022, Morocco expelled two Norwegians from Laayoune who had planned to meet with pro-Polisario associations. In May 2023, the same action was taken against an Italian national who sought to «research the impact of renewable energy installations» on the local population in the Sahara.