Summary:

On 21 October 2026, Mauritania denied media reports that it had sought sovereignty over Lagouira in exchange for recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara. Government spokesperson Mohamed Ould Bebana said that the proposal to clarify the disputed territory’s international borders was intended to prevent security and legal ambiguity, not to advance territorial claims. 

He reaffirmed Nouakchott’s support for a peaceful, consensual settlement under United Nations auspices and stated that Mauritania’s position had not changed. 

The denial followed reports suggesting that the country had raised the possibility of obtaining Lagouira during negotiations involving Morocco, Algeria, the Polisario Front and Mauritania. 

Outlook: 

Nouakchott’s denial reinforces its effort to maintain a position of positive neutrality in the Western Sahara dispute and avoid being perceived as pursuing territorial gains at Morocco’s expense. However, continued speculation over Lagouira could complicate this balancing act, particularly as UN-led negotiations approach the 31 October expiry of the MINURSO mandate. 

The immediate risk is diplomatic rather than territorial, as competing interpretations of Mauritania’s border proposal could fuel suspicion among the parties and draw greater scrutiny to Nouakchott’s role in the negotiations. 

Mauritania’s ability to maintain credibility will depend on keeping its position focused on a negotiated settlement rather than allowing the issue to be framed as a bilateral territorial dispute. 

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