Caught between Morocco and Algeria, Mauritania continues to tread a delicate path, as shown by the latest statement from its Ministry of Equipment and Transport regarding plans for a road intended to connect Amgala to Bir Oum Grine. Here's what you need to know. On the planned Amgala–Bir Oum Grine land crossing, the Mauritanian government is striking a different tone. The Ministry of Equipment and Transport has publicly stated that it has «no knowledge of any projects to establish a border post» between Morocco and Mauritania. In a statement issued late Tuesday via the Mauritanian Information Agency, the ministry stressed that «all official information from the department is shared exclusively through its official website, social media channels, or the Mauritanian Information Agency (AMI)». It urged «both national and international media to verify the accuracy of any information before publishing, by contacting the relevant ministry departments or consulting its official channels». The announcement was welcomed by the Polisario Front, whose press agency declared: «The Mauritanian Ministry of Equipment and Transport denies reports of a border post opening at occupied Es-Smara». The statement also drew approving coverage from some Algerian outlets. Statement and Context In Mauritania, decisions about managing and opening border crossings fall under the exclusive authority of the Ministry of the Interior, not the Ministry of Equipment and Transport, according to Anbaa.info in an article published on August 12. The outlet, which had been blocked for 12 days by Mauritanian authorities, noted that «an official document issued by the Ministry of the Interior and Decentralization on February 11, 2025, formally announced the creation of 82 mandatory border posts for the movement of people and goods nationwide, classified as bilateral and open, in line with current laws and agreements». It added that «the official list of border posts in the Tiris Zemmour region, which borders Algeria (Tindouf) and Morocco (Sahara), includes seven main crossing points, among them Bir Oum Grine, which links Mauritania directly to Morocco outside the El Guerguerate corridor». Morocco's Road Project In February 2024, Morocco quietly began building a road linking Amgala to Bir Oum Grine, a project carried out by the Royal Armed Forces (FAR). At the same time, the Ministry of Equipment is working on National Road No. 17, which will connect Jederia, Farsia, and Mahbes over 128 km, as well as upgrading National Roads No. 17 and 17B between Es-Smara and the Mauritanian border over 53 km. The total investment amounts to 215 million dirhams. These figures were confirmed during a recent visit to the Laayoune–Sakia El Hamra region by Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka. The projects, along with the port of Dakhla and the Tiznit–Dakhla highway, are part of Morocco's broader strategy to strengthen its links with the rest of Africa.
