A question was asked here a month or so ago about a possible way from Smara to Mauritania. I was in Smara a couple of weeks ago and asked around.

I went both to the police, the gendarmerie and what passes for customs and was told by all that they had no problem with this. I was also told by the surete and immigration that if the military are in agreement then its fine by them too. So I went to the military and was shown into some senior officer after some waiting.

I asked him was there any problem in doing the route and was told "If layooune and Agadir are OK then so are we". he had a talk with a more senior officer who said "I dont think it should be too difficult". A fax was sent to Layooune and I wass told the answer will probably take 2-3 days.

I was then taken outside by the senior officer who wanted to inspect the vehicle, when he saw it was a Merc 190 he said straight out that there was no way I was going to be allowed to do the route in a car like that and not alone. I asked him is it possible to wait for the response from Layooune and was told to come back with a 4X4 and they will see what happens.

Frustratingly enough I was never told if it was actually possible or not and a day of asking around didnt help either. I had no intention of doing the route in the 190 as I was on my way to Nouadhibou but I met a couple of UN or Red Cross people who were the opinion that it is legally possible.

I'm not telling people it is or isnt possible but I got positive signs in most places I went, but if anyone ends out wasting a couple of days in Smara waiting for a permit that doesnt exist then dont blame me. Im going to try it again in Janurary or February with a 4X4 so I"ll see what happens then.