Morocco and Mauritania are showing willingness to start a new page after undergoing a silent storm on the backdrop of Nouakchott’s ambiguous stands on the Sahara issue. A sign of the new rapprochement was expressed at the reception by Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz of Morocco’s new ambassador to Nouakchott Hamid Chabar who presented his […]
Mauritania
Members of Mauritania’s Largest Slave Abolitionist Group to Run for Elections
After years of fighting for their rights despite crackdown and imprisonment, members of Mauritania’s leading anti-slavery NGO, the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA) are preparing their participation in local elections to make their voice heard. Led by recipient of UN human rights prize in 2013, Biram Ould Dah Ould Abied, IRA is not recognized […]
Mauritania Complains of Iran’s Meddling
After Morocco, which severed ties with Iran over its support for separatists, Mauritanian authorities are complaining of the meddling of Iranian embassy which they accuse of spreading Shiism among the Sunni population. Mauritanian media reported that the foreign ministry summoned the Iranian Ambassador in Nouakchott Mohamed Amrani against the backdrop of rising concerns on Iranian […]
Mauritanian Government Lambasted at UNHC for Slavery
The Mauritanian government was rebuked at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva for its failure to abolish entirely slavery practices, which remain widespread in the West African country. A heated exchange took place between the Mauritanian government and independent national and international NGO’s calling for abolishing the abhorrent slavery practice in Mauritania as part […]
Mauritania: Government Warns Opposition against Involving Defense Forces in Politics
As Mauritania heads towards presidential elections next year, the regime of Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz has warned the opposition to refrain from wooing the army to intervene in the country’s politics. The warning was made by Defense Minister Jallow Mamadou Bhatia Sunday at a press conference in capital Nouakchott. The opposition, Middle East Monitor reports, […]
Morocco Foils Drug Trafficking, Drones Smuggling Attempts at Guerguarate Crossing Point
Moroccan security and customs services have foiled in a couple of days smuggling attempts at Guerguarate crossing point, in the southernmost tip of the country on the borders with Mauritania. In the night from Wednesday to Thursday, they blocked a drug smuggling attempt and seized 653 kg of cannabis on board a truck transporting goods. […]
UN Resets Strategy to Address Root Causes of Sahel Crisis
The UN announced that it has revamped its Sahel strategy to better tackle the root causes of the crisis in a region beset by insecurity, climate change, poverty and extremism. “The Sahel is a priority for the Secretary-General and the entire United Nations system,” Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed told a conference being held in Nouakchott, […]
IMF: Mauritania Faces Challenges for Inclusive Growth despite Favorable Outlook
Mauritania’s economic outlook is favorable due to sustained commodity prices and ongoing economic policy efforts, but there are still considerable challenges for inclusive growth, said the International Monetary Fund. “The economic recovery continues, with growth estimated at 3-3½ percent in 2017 and 2018, and moderate inflation of 2.3 percent on average in 2017”, said IMF […]
Mauritanian Authorities Crackdown on Anti-slavery Activists
Despite international outcry against slavery across the globe, Mauritanian authorities continue their crackdown on anti-slavery activists with the arrest recently of abolitionist Biram Ould Abeid who was interrogated by authorities following three days of demonstrations led by the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA). Analysts consider his arrest as a move by the government to […]
Marrakech, Africa’s Newest Art Hub – The Independent
Morocco’s top tourist attraction, Marrakech, is gradually becoming a key stop on the art market’s destinations with the holding of the renowned African art fair, 1:54, the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (Macaal) this month, said The Independent. In an article that highlights facets of the city’s art fairs, the paper described the […]









