Trucks loaded with embezzled humanitarian aid that is supposed to benefit Sahraouis held against their will in the Polisario-run Tindouf camps are now stranded on the Algerian Mauritanian borders. Mauritanian authorities have born for years the brunt of smuggling of humanitarian aid with the involvement of Polisario and Algerian officials, causing Mauritanian customs significant losses annually. The Mauritanian decision to prevent sale of embezzled humanitarian aid on its market has added a strain to its ties with Algeria, the Polisario’s paymaster. In October 2018, Mauritania ended trade anarchy by imposing customs duties at its borders with Algeria. The border crossing with Mauritania was sought by Algerian authorities as a gateway for exports to Africa.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 27, 2020 17:26 UTC