Mauritania requests the absence of the Polisario leader at an education congress

Mauritania is hosting an African congress on December 10-11, focused on education and youth employment. Notably absent from the official photo was Polisario leader Brahim Ghali, following a request from the Mauritanian government for him to delegate Polisario's representation to «Minister of Education» Khatri Adouh. This move highlights ongoing diplomatic sensitivities surrounding Ghali's international appearances.

Despite his absence, Ghali remained active over the weekend in Tindouf, delivering speeches and attending a conference celebrating the European Court of Justice (CJEU) rulings of October 4, aligning with Polisario's ongoing efforts to bolster its international presence.

The official Polisario press agency described the Nouakchott gathering, organized by the African Union, as a «ministerial meeting», contrasting with its earlier characterization of the September 2023 African Climate Congress in Nairobi as a «summit». Meanwhile, Mauritanian media referred to the Nouakchott event as a «continental congress» on African education, drawing participation from notable leaders such as the presidents of Senegal, Rwanda, and Algeria.