Spain's last soldier left the territory on 26 February 1976 [citation needed]. The next day, the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic was declared by Polisario Front representatives.[citation needed] Morocco intensified its military presence in the region, and by the end of the year, Mauritania and Morocco had partitioned the territory. Mauritania was too weak militarily and economically to compete against Polisario, though, and was forced to renounce its claims in 1979.[citation needed] Morocco immediately annexed that territory.