Organised by the rural commune of Chbika, in partnership with the Ministry of the Interior, the Tan Tan prefecture, the Agency for the Development of the Southern Provinces, the Orascom Group (for the development of Chbika), as well as other public and private institutions, this edition which took place under the theme "Partnership and cooperation for the development of Chbika", was closed on Sunday, September 16.

The programme of this event which mainly included dromedary races in which representatives of the various southern provinces took part, was, according to observers, well below the expectations of the public and economic operators. Attracted by the announcement of the presence of a significant number of foreign investors, notably Spanish, the latter hoped to attend the signing of conventions or memoranda of understanding concerning a partnership with these investors. Instead of the 50 Spanish economic operators planned, the Canarian delegation chaired by the Minister of Transport in the Canarian autonomous government, only counted a dozen members who looked more like they were on holiday than on a prospecting mission to find potential land favourable for investment in the field of tourism.

The dromedary, an important element of the life of Sahrawi society, could only have a place of choice in any event organised in the southern provinces. Also, as a contribution of the Chbika commune to the enhancement of this pillar of Sahrawi culture and to the consolidation and development of dromedary breeding, the organisers made the dromedary race the highlight of the event.

Furthermore, the presence of ambassadors from several friendly countries announced by the organisers was limited to that of a representative of the United Arab Emirates.

The tent planned for the Hassani poetry masters' competition was reduced to two poets who each presented a poem honouring the dromedary and the customs of the men of the desert. As for the musical evenings, they did not particularly distinguish themselves from the rest of the event.

The sporting aspect which, in addition to the dromedary race, included a shooting tournament in memory of Haj Ouberka, one of the illustrious sons of the region, for whom this sport was a real passion. A gala evening chaired by the Wali of the Guelmim-Smara region, in the presence of the governors of Smara and Tan Tan surrounded by elected officials and notables of the region, marked the closing on Sunday, September 16. This closing evening was used to pay tribute to various personalities who have marked the history of the region and for the awarding of prizes to the winners of the various competitions.