A pro-Saharan Catalan activist faced expulsion from Moroccan territory after authorities detained him upon entry. The individual crossed the Mauritanian border, was placed in a car under police supervision, and then taken into Morocco, ending up in Agadir during the encounter.
Nuria Boot, a teacher and member of the organization “Una finestra al món” (a window to the world in Catalan), reportedly traveled into Western Sahara from Mauritania with a companion and described the event in discussions with EFE. Boot had the chance to visit Mauritania first and then cross the border into Western Sahara. She has indicated that the journey was not undertaken for professional or journalistic purposes, but rather as a personal trip to connect with the region and its people. She has stated that she has worked with Saharawi communities for more than a decade and expressed genuine excitement at finally stepping onto Saharan soil, while emphasizing the absence of any formal professional aim behind the visit.
Boot’s account describes entering through the Guerguerat border crossing, moving from Mauritania into the territory, and proceeding toward Dakhla. According to her, security presence immediately became noticeable on the first day in Dakhla, with a small group of men following their movements closely. Over time, the number of observers grew, and the group noted that guards were watching their steps around the hotel area for nearly a full day.
The group spent several nights in Dakhla before taking a taxi on a later day toward Al Ayun, the capital of Western Sahara. They were stopped at a police checkpoint and subsequently exited from their vehicle. Boot reported that ten undercover police officers, who did not communicate in Spanish, English, or French, confined them to a small room with limited explanations, after which they were informed that they would be removed from the area and taken to Agadir.
According to the testimony, they traveled by taxi with an officer present in the vehicle to Agadir, located in southern Morocco. They reached the city in the early hours of the morning, and the following day records indicate that a flight carried them back to the Canary Islands. The experience prompted questions about the level of concern shown by Moroccan authorities regarding outsiders witnessing conditions on the ground in the region.
In reflecting on the episode, the activist wondered about the reasons behind the strong reaction from authorities and why there was such limited opportunity to observe events as they unfolded. She noted that her trip was not driven by professional objectives but by a desire to extend a hand of solidarity to Saharawi communities and to convey support from Catalonia and Spain. This perspective underscores a broader emphasis on unity and dialogue within the context of regional dynamics and mutual concern for the people involved.
The activist stressed that the organization she represents is engaged in educational exchange initiatives with children in Sahrawi refugee camps. These efforts are part of ongoing programs that involve travel to and collaboration with communities in North Africa, including Algeria, where exchanges and visits take place on an annual basis. The emphasis remains on fostering understanding, cultural exchange, and educational connections that transcend political friction while prioritizing the well-being and resilience of the Saharawi people.