Marrakech – Morocco and Mauritania have signed a cooperation agreement on archival matters, establishing a formal partnership between the two national agencies responsible for preserving documentary heritage. The agreement was signed on Friday at the headquarters of the Moroccan Archives Foundation in Rabat.
The Mauritanian delegate, Mohamed Mokhtar Sayed Mohamed El Hadi, signed on behalf of the National Documents Office, while Latifa Mouftakar, Director of the Moroccan Archives Foundation, represented Morocco.
The agreement establishes a bilateral collaboration framework for collecting, preserving, processing and enhancing public archives, particularly those related to shared history and administrative and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
It includes joint actions in professional training, digitization, management of conservation centers, historical research, and making archives accessible to the general public.
The convention also paves the way for regular technical exchanges between Mauritanian and Moroccan experts, joint scientific publications, and cultural events focused on the role of archives in writing national narratives.
Through this agreement, both countries aim to deepen their collaboration in a field that, while not heavily publicized, is essential for knowledge transmission and the construction of shared documentary memory.
The signing ceremony was attended by Nani Ould El Houssein, Cultural Counselor at the Mauritanian Embassy in Rabat, and Mohamed Fathi, Head of International Cooperation at the Moroccan Archives Foundation.
Mauritania has similar agreements with Tunisia, Algeria, Turkiye, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Portugal, reflecting its commitment to archival preservation across borders.
This new agreement comes amid improving relations between Rabat and Nouakchott. A December meeting between King Mohammed VI and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani marked a positive turn in bilateral ties.
Morocco-Mauritania relations represent a crucial concept of regional integration due to their history and mutual cooperation. Their geographic proximity to both the Sahel-Saharan region and North Africa places them on the frontline against security threats like terrorism, organized crime, human trafficking, and illegal migration.
Mauritania maintains a delicate balance in regional politics. As a small country between two regional powers, Morocco and Algeria, Mauritania cannot definitively take sides in the Sahara issue. Its position remains somewhat median.
While not directly recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, Mauritania doesn’t protest it either, adopting a “positive neutrality” toward Morocco. This balanced approach serves Mauritania’s interests in maintaining good relations with both regional powers.
Economic interests also factor into this relationship, including the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project that will pass through Mauritania. These shared projects strengthen ties beyond political considerations.
The Moroccan Archives Foundation, established under Law No. 69.99 concerning archives, plays a vital role in preserving Morocco’s documentary heritage.
Created in the context of national reconciliation efforts in the early 21st century, it collects, preserves, and makes accessible the nation’s historical records. The institution has been classified as a strategic national institution since 2012.
The foundation’s main mission includes preserving the national archival heritage, creating general archives, organizing them, and facilitating their consultation for administrative, scientific, social, and cultural purposes.
It also establishes standards for archival operations and promotes the field through scientific research, professional training, and international cooperation.
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