An extraordinary glimpse into the clandestine operations of Moroccan diplomacy and intelligence has come to light. A series of confidential dispatches from October 2008, originating from Morocco’s embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, detail how Rabat meticulously orchestrated a strategy of infiltration and diplomatic counter-offensives. This elaborate plan aimed to weaken the Polisario Front and counter Algerian influence across Central America, leveraging critical intelligence provided by Sahrawi diplomat Salama Ould Hennane.
These compelling letters, addressed directly to Yassine El Mansouri, the head of the DGED (Direction Générale des Études et de la Documentation — Morocco’s external intelligence agency), and signed by Ambassador Dr Brahim Housseine Moussa, reveal deep-seated tribal divisions within the separatist movement and significant geopolitical shifts, particularly in Panama.
Tribal divisions: a strategy to fragment the polisario
At the core of these disclosures lies a golden opportunity for Rabat: the potential defection of senior Polisario figures. The Moroccan ambassador reported multiple approaches from a certain M. Sliman, identified as Salama Ould Hennane, a native of Dakhla from the Oulad Dlim tribe and former “ambassador” for the RASD in Panama and Central America.
Sliman’s assessment was stark: a “very strong dissatisfaction” was unsettling the separatist movement. The root cause, he explained, was blatant favoritism shown by the Polisario leadership exclusively towards the Rguibatte tribe, at the expense of other tribal components, including Oulad Dlim, Oulad Tidrarine, Ait Lahcen, Ait Baamran, and the Takna confederation.
According to the former separatist diplomat, the timing was perfect to deliver a decisive blow to the movement:
“This is the ideal moment to undertake action within the Polisario, to further weaken it and unite opponents of this movement around the autonomy project.”
Sliman claimed to have the backing of several prominent RASD figures to ignite an internal rebellion, including:
- Ahmed ould Souilem (Minister Delegate for Arab Countries).
- Mahfoud Ould Ahmed Zine (former minister and military region chief).
- Mansour (former Foreign Minister and representative in Paris).
The audacious plan presented to the DGED involved encouraging these personalities to form an official opposition group, publicly announcing their dissent at an international press conference (likely in Madrid), and openly declaring their support for Morocco’s proposed Autonomy Project. Ambassador Moussa further suggested to his superiors that Sliman be utilized as an “infiltrated agent” to execute this destabilization effort.
The central american battleground: Algeria’s “blank cheque”
Beyond internal power struggles, the letters expose a fierce war of influence between Rabat and Algiers in Latin America. In October 2008, Moroccan diplomacy learned of a significant Algerian delegation, led by Algeria’s ambassador to Washington, M. Baali, preparing for a tour of Central America.
Algiers’ objective? To counteract the progress of Morocco’s autonomy plan presented to the UN. To sway Latin American capitals, Algeria deployed substantial resources, offering a “package of cooperation projects” (understood as financial and economic aid) in exchange for alignment with separatist doctrines. Concurrently, the Polisario dispatched its emissary, Mohamed Yaslem Beissat, to Panama in an attempt to mend fracturing alliances.
Panama’s strategic pivot
Panama emerged as the true epicenter of this diplomatic standoff. The documents confirm a significant cooling of relations between Panama City and the separatists. Panamanian authorities at the time refused to accredit a new RASD ambassador, effectively demoting the Sahrawi representation to the lower status of a mere “chargé d’affaires.”
In response to this development, the Moroccan ambassador urgently alerted Rabat: Panama expected a reciprocal gesture. The diplomat insisted that Morocco send an official emissary to solidify this bilateral warming and definitively block Algerian efforts.
In a final lobbying effort, the Moroccan diplomat revealed activating his trusted networks within the Panamanian government to obstruct Polisario’s demands, issuing a thinly veiled threat: any reversal by Panama “could harm bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Morocco.”
Mohamed abdelaziz’s secret agenda
Demonstrating the precision of the intelligence gathered by the embassy, a document dated October 27, 2008, meticulously detailed the upcoming agenda of the then-Polisario chief, Mohamed Abdelaziz: a visit to New York on November 4 to meet with UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, followed by a trip on November 9 to Valence, Spain, for the closing of the European Conference of Support for the Sahrawi People (EUCOCO).
These diplomatic archives thus unveil the stark reality of the Sahara conflict: a shadow war where North Africa and Latin America intersect, and where the strength of alliances is forged as much in the secrecy of embassy lounges as on the battleground of tribal rivalries.
