Polisario threatens Africa Eco Race over passage through Sahara

After three weeks of silence, the Polisario Front has issued threats against the 16th edition of the Africa Eco Race, set to take place from December 29, 2024, to January 12, 2025, with stages in the Sahara and a passage through El Guerguerate en route to Mauritania.

«They are responsible for the consequences of entering and crossing Saharan national territory», which the Polisario considers a «war zone». The Front warned, «The Saharawi Republic reserves the legitimate right to respond firmly to any action aimed at undermining its sovereignty and territorial integrity», according to the statement.

The Polisario also expanded the scope of its threats, cautioning that «all countries in the world and the public and private sectors must refrain from carrying out any activity whatsoever on Saharan national territory».

Despite these warnings, the organizers of the Africa Eco Race Rally have a history of disregarding threats from the Polisario Front.