Mauritania urges gold miners to respect Morocco's territorial integrity

Mauritanian authorities have issued a renewed call to gold miners operating in the northern region of the country, urging them to respect Morocco's territorial integrity following the tragic deaths of three miners who illegally entered the buffer zone of Moroccan Sahara.

This warning was articulated by Mr. El Tayeb Ould Mohamed, the governor of Tiris Zemmour, during a statement made in Bir Moghrin, near the Moroccan border.

According to Mauritanian media, the governor cautioned against crossing the border into the buffer zone, which is deemed a military area prohibited to civilians.

"It is imperative to respect the borders of neighboring countries, particularly to preserve the diplomatic relations that Mauritania maintains with brotherly states," the governor declared, implicitly referencing the Kingdom of Morocco.

This statement comes in the wake of a fatal incident involving a Toyota Hilux vehicle transporting Mauritanian gold miners, which veered off course in the buffer zone, resulting in three fatalities. The victims reportedly attempted to illegally cross the border to prospect in an area where civilian presence is strictly forbidden, regardless of nationality.

The governor emphasized the need to confine gold prospecting activities to areas regulated by the state, specifically those under the jurisdiction of "Maaden Mauritania," the official body managing artisanal mining.

"The respect for laws, customs, and bilateral agreements governing relations between Mauritania and its neighbors is non-negotiable," he asserted.

The buffer zone, situated south of Morocco's defensive wall, is strategically important for Morocco, which strictly prohibits civilian access. Despite this, numerous Mauritanian miners are drawn to the area, lured by the rumored presence of gold, often at great personal risk.

This incident raises critical questions regarding security in border areas and the shared responsibility between neighboring countries in managing illegal mining activities.

In light of these dramatic events, Mauritanian authorities aim to adopt a firmer stance to prevent further incidents and avoid any diplomatic tensions with Rabat.