Ahmed Raissouni reiterates Morocco’s claim to Mauritania
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Yabiladi
Former International Union of Muslim Scholars president Ahmed Raissouni has reiterated that Mauritania historically belongs to Morocco, prompting a strong reaction in Mauritania. The Mauritanian Scholars Association denounced the provocative remarks in Nouakchott as an attack on national sovereignty, while calling for cooperation between the two countries to be preserved.
Ahmed Raissouni, former president of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, has reiterated that Mauritania is “Moroccan”, describing the country as a “creation of France”, Yabiladi reports. He notably argued that Morocco did not recognise Mauritanian independence until 1969, nine years after it was declared.
The Association of Mauritanian Scholars condemned the remarks in a statement published in Nouakchott, describing them as “peculiar, suspect and provocative” and considering them an attack on the country’s sovereignty. It recalled that, in its view, only the Almoravid state had exercised authority over the territory, before extending its power to neighbouring countries and as far as Andalusia.
The association also said that such calls did not contribute to the unity of the Muslim world. It reaffirmed its respect for Morocco and called for fraternity and cooperation between the two countries to be preserved.
Raissouni had already disputed Mauritania’s existence in 2022, calling for its “return” to Moroccan sovereignty. Similar remarks made by Hamid Chabat, former secretary-general of Morocco’s Istiqlal Party, in December 2016 also prompted reactions in Mauritania. Raissouni’s statements about Mauritania and Tindouf sparked protests in Mauritania and Algeria, and were followed by his resignation as president of the International Union of Muslim Scholars.
