Five countries—France, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal—are preparing to organize the 16th edition of the international race "Africa Eco Race," scheduled from December 28, 2024, to January 12, 2025. The event will see the participation of 150 competitors from various countries around the world, all crossing the Moroccan Sahara via the Guerguerat border crossing, a move that has angered the separatist Polisario Front.
The Polisario Front has once again issued threats against the race participants, as it has in previous years. Recently, it published a statement on its official website urging competitors to withdraw, claiming that the Sahara region is in a state of "open war" with Morocco.
In a statement to Assahifa Arabic, Cédric Bret, the media spokesperson and organizer of the Africa Eco Race, said the organizing committee is aware of the Polisario Front's position on the race. He expressed regret over this stance, emphasizing that the event is a "sporting occasion, and we do not engage in politics."
Brett further explained, "We work closely with the Moroccan authorities, the primary partner in the Africa Eco Race. Special and advanced security measures have been implemented to ensure the event's success and the safety of all participants throughout the route, particularly during the crossing of the Moroccan Sahara."
The spokesperson expressed full confidence in "the measures and support provided by the Moroccan authorities," adding, "These measures are confidential but highly effective. We cannot disclose details for security reasons. Everything is being done to ensure the success of this event, highlighting the sport, the passion, and the adventure, while showcasing the magnificent landscapes and people along the route."
Brett also praised the "excellent work" of Moroccan authorities over the years, noting that the event has run smoothly since its inception in 2008. He stressed that "sports should remain neutral in the face of geopolitical challenges around the world. The Africa Eco Race was created for fans of the African continent who yearn to connect with the populations living in the areas traversed by the rally."
Notably, the Polisario Front had issued threats last year to target participants in this international event. However, no incidents occurred thanks to the protection provided by Moroccan forces during the participants’ crossing of the Moroccan Sahara to the Mauritanian border.
Observers of the Sahara issue believe that hosting such an international race, which garners global attention and media coverage, undermines the Polisario’s propaganda efforts in recent years to draw the world's focus to what it calls "the war in the Sahara."
Over the past two years, the separatist front has threatened military actions to halt the race, but these threats never materialized. The event proceeded as planned, with participants crossing the Guerguerat border under Moroccan security, without any Polisario interference.
Experts anticipate that this year’s race will also proceed smoothly, reinforcing the reality that the Moroccan Sahara remains largely peaceful, contrary to the Polisario's claims of an ongoing war. Most of the reported clashes occur behind the security wall, far from the route used for the race.
It is worth noting that before late 2020—prior to Morocco's complete control over the Guerguerat border—Polisario supporters would engage in extortion activities targeting race participants. However, these actions ceased after the Moroccan military operation in November 2020, which secured the crossing.
