Mauritania and Morocco's Navies Strengthen Military Cooperation

Mauritania and Morocco's navies have concluded simultaneous four-day visits from November 2 to 5. The visits aimed to strengthen military cooperation between the two countries. A Mauritanian delegation led by Colonel Mahnaze Bab Hamdi visited the Royal Moroccan Naval School and training center in Casablanca. Meanwhile, a Moroccan delegation led by Lieutenant Commander Mohamed Al-Hawari visited the Mauritanian Navy's headquarters in Nouakchott.

The Mauritanian delegation also visited the Royal Moroccan Naval School, where they were briefed on the school's training programs. The delegation included Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Salem Moloud, commander of the High Officers' School, and Major Seydi Mama. The visits included discussions and exchanges of expertise between the two navies. The Moroccan delegation, on the other hand, toured the Mauritanian Navy's operations center, naval academy, and search and rescue center.

The visits were part of a joint military committee program between the two countries. The program aimed to enhance cooperation in areas such as maritime security and safety. The visits took place amid the withdrawal of the UN's MINURSO mission from Western Sahara and Mauritania's reaffirmation of its "positive neutrality" in the conflict.

The Moroccan delegation's visit to Nouakchott focused on developing coordination and operational capabilities between the two navies. The visit included a tour of the Mauritanian Navy's radar installations and discussions on maritime security. The visits concluded with technical evaluation sessions and exchanges of commemorative shields and symbolic gifts.

The simultaneous visits were a significant development in the military cooperation between Mauritania and Morocco. The two countries have been strengthening their military ties in recent years. The visits also followed a recent exploratory visit by a delegation from the Moroccan Royal College of Higher Military Studies to the Nouakchott-based Defense College.

The military cooperation between Mauritania and Morocco is seen as an important aspect of regional security. The two countries share a common border and have a long history of cooperation on security issues. The visits are expected to enhance the capabilities of both navies in addressing maritime security challenges.

The visits did not result in the signing of any new agreements. However, the two navies are expected to continue their cooperation in the coming months. The cooperation between Mauritania and Morocco's navies is seen as a positive development in the region.

Key points

• The visits aimed to enhance cooperation in areas such as maritime security and safety.
• The Moroccan delegation visited the Mauritanian Navy's operations center, naval academy, and search and rescue center.
• The visits took place amid the withdrawal of the UN's MINURSO mission from Western Sahara.