Royal initiative : Mauritania’s reaction angers the Polisario

Mauritania has welcomed the initiative proposed by King Mohammed VI in his Green March speech, delivered Tuesday.

On Thursday, the Mauritanian Minister of Culture, Handicraft, Relations with Parliament and Government Spokesman, commended the Moroccan proposal, hoping to establish a joint political mechanism for dialogue and consultation between Algiers and Rabat.

Quoted by Mauritanian online newspaper Sahara Medias, Sidi Mohamed Ould Maham said that «Mauritania hopes that the initiative proposed by the Moroccan King succeeds in strengthening diplomatic ties between the two countries», noting that Mauritania welcomes the creation of this «mechanism».

The reaction of the Mauritanian Minister, however, was not well received by the Front. On Friday, pro-Polisario online newspaper Futuro Sahara, wrote that Nouakchott is «letting go of its neutrality when it comes to the Western Sahara conflict».

The newspaper believes that Mauritania’s new position is «contradicting its usual position on the issue».  

«The position of Mauritania was too early, especially that Algeria, the country addressed by the King’s speech, has not responded officially yet to the call», explained Futuro Sahara.

For the record, several countries have also welcomed the King’s proposal, including Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, United Arab Emirates as well as the Arab League.