Commercial land traffic between Morocco and Mauritania has resumed.

The only crossing point between the two countries was closed by separatists from Western Sahara three weeks ago. This led to the cessation of exports to Mauritania. On November 13, the Moroccan army restored traffic.

Habib Medaoui is one of the first Moroccan truck drivers to arrive Wednesday morning in Nouakchott since the interruption of road traffic between his country and Mauritania more than 3 weeks ago. He was about to move to Mauritania when the border was closed. He says he is happy to take a shuttle that he has been providing for 5 years.

"We arrived in good health and we are happy thank God. I had loaded my truck, which you see, for 2 weeks in Casablanca. But after I leave Casa, I learn that the crossing point with Mauritania is closed. I had to turn back and wait, even though I had passed Agadir. »

The situation is the same for Boughaye Mohamed, another Moroccan driver. He had merchandise for Mauritanian importers and not only: "I regularly transport fruits and vegetables for Mauritania and other West African countries: Senegal, Mali, Burkina, Niger and Ivory Coast. All these countries import from Morocco. »

Concerns in Nouakchott

Mene Salama, a Mauritanian importer, welcomes the arrival of the trucks, but with caution for the future: "The cessation of imports has affected us, due to the prolonged closure of the border. But we know that things are likely to get complicated with a single crossing point in Guerguerate."

This concern seems justified, given the tension prevailing in the area. The Polisario Front announced that it had carried out a series of attacks against Moroccan targets. What Rabat has not confirmed.