DR ‹ › The Mauritanian preacher Mohamed El Hassan Ould Deddou arrived in Laâyoune yesterday to deliver a series of religious lectures. His visit has ignited a wave of outrage among Polisario supporters on social media, with some accusing him of yielding to Morocco's «corruption». Known for his close ties to Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood, the Mauritanian sheikh has historically aligned with the Polisario Front's positions. He notably opposed former U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition, on December 10, 2020, of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara. At the time, during an appearance on Al Jazeera, where he frequently features, he declared that «the Americans are not the owners of Western Sahara to give it to Morocco», condemning the act signed by Trump and published in the United States' Official Journal as «illegal and contrary to Islamic law». He further likened this decision «to the American recognition of the Zionist occupation of the Golan Heights and other territories». These statements were applauded by Polisario supporters. Despite these positions, Moroccan authorities allowed Mohamed El Hassan Ould Deddou to attend the inaugural session of the 9th PJD congress, held in April 2025 in Bouznika.
