Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita arrived in Nouakchott, Mauritania, on 8 November 2026 for an unannounced visit to meet with President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani. The meeting focused on the ongoing diplomatic situation regarding Western Sahara. Amar Belani, former Algerian ambassador, stated, "Bourita is on a mission to convince Ghazouani." The visit marks a notable engagement between the two nations as they navigate regional tensions. Hamdi Yahdih, a specialist in Maghreb affairs, expressed skepticism regarding the diplomatic implications of the session, noting, "Mauritania has fallen again into the Moroccan trap." The discussions in Nouakchott occurred amid broader regional interest in the status of the territory, involving various international stakeholders in the diplomatic process.
The diplomatic movement between Rabat and Nouakchott has intensified in recent weeks, characterized by high-level exchanges intended to clarify positions on the Western Sahara file. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita made an unannounced visit to Nouakchott, Mauritania, meeting with President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani to facilitate a direct dialogue between the two administrations. This meeting served as a critical platform for Morocco to communicate its current diplomatic objectives directly to the Mauritanian head of state, ensuring that bilateral channels remain active despite the complexities surrounding the status of the territory.
Secret Diplomatic Channels Opened
A Mauritanian official conducted a secret visit to Morocco on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, according to reports. This unannounced travel preceded the formal meeting between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani in Nouakchott. The timing of this clandestine mission suggests a concerted effort by both governments to align their diplomatic strategies before the formal, public encounter between the Foreign Minister and the President took place later that week.
Nasser Bourita remained in Nouakchott for approximately four hours during his 8 November 2026 visit to conduct talks with the Mauritanian leadership. The visit by Nasser Bourita to Mauritania lasted approximately four hours, during which he engaged in substantive discussions with President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani. The session involved direct discussions concerning the diplomatic trajectory of the Western Sahara region, focusing on how the two nations might manage their respective interests in light of evolving international pressures.
Mohamed Ould Babana, acting as spokesperson for the Mauritanian government, stated that the administration maintains a policy of "positive neutrality" regarding the Western Sahara conflict. The Mauritanian government, through spokesperson Mohamed Ould Babana, maintains a policy of 'positive neutrality' regarding the Western Sahara conflict. This stance aims to balance the regional interests of neighboring states while the Mauritanian government manages its own security and diplomatic priorities.
The broader international context of the conflict remains volatile. Russia used its veto power in the UN Security Council to block a US-sponsored project regarding the Western Sahara file. Russia exercised its veto power within the United Nations Security Council to block a project sponsored by the United States concerning the Western Sahara file. This decision effectively prevented the advancement of the specific proposal through the council's formal voting procedures, further complicating the diplomatic landscape for all regional actors involved.
