Mauritanian authorities declared the borders with Algeria and Mali a military zone strictly forbidden to civilians amid the proliferation of terrorist groups that engage in all kinds of criminal activities including kidnappings and all sorts of trafficking. The decision was announced by Mauritania’s defense minister on official media warning with a serious tone that “any […]
Mauritania
Security Council Welcomes Deployment of Multinational Force to Counter Terrorism in Sahel
The UN Security Council unanimously welcomed in a resolution the deployment of a military force by West African states to combat terrorism and arms, drug and human trafficking in the Sahel region after France and the US reached a consensus on the issue. To secure the support of the US, France softened the resolution language […]
Mauritania Cuts Off Diplomatic Ties with Qatar
Mauritania has joined its voice to the Arab nations that cut off diplomatic ties with Qatar, which they accuse of supporting terrorism and sidelining with Iran. “The state of Qatar has linked its policies … in support of terrorist organizations and the propagation of extremist ideas,” the Mauritanian news agency said relaying a statement of […]
Maghreb amid World’s Lowest Performing Trading Blocs – WEF
More than 25 years after its creation, the Maghreb Union, an economic bloc comprising Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya finds itself in a state of paralysis unable of tapping into its economic and trade potential, said the World Economic Forum (WEF) in a recent publication on the region. “The Maghreb, in Northern Africa, is […]
UN Report Slams Mauritanian Authorities for Discriminating against Afro-Mauritanians
Mauritanian authorities were strongly criticized in a UN report for discriminating against the Haratins and Afro-Mauritanians who remain excluded from all positions of power coupled with economic and social marginalization. “Haratines and Afro-Mauritanians are excluded from almost all positions of real power and many aspects of economic and social life, which has the consequence of […]
Mauritanians to decide on July 15 whether President could extend reign
Mauritanians will decide on July 15 whether autocratic leader Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz could run again for the elections in 2019, the year his current term ends. The date of the referendum on constitutional reforms proposed by the President’s ruling party was set by the cabinet last week. The fate of the President in 2019, […]
Mauritania: Projects in Mining and Energy get over $100 million in Loans
Mauritania can rejoice for a successful participation in the summit of Arab financial institutions held in Rabat after the North African country received over $100 million of loans for the execution of projects in mining and energy, reports say. A first deal between Moctar Ould Diaye, Mauritania’s finance minister and the chairperson of the Arab […]
Mauritania to Hold Referendum to Abolish Senate, Change Flag
President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz announced that a referendum would be held to vote for the amendment to the constitution providing notably for abolishing the senate and changing the flag. The amendments to the constitution, which has been in force since 1991, were approved by the lower house but rejected by a majority […]
Mauritanian Upper House Rejects Changing Flag, Own Abolition
The Mauritanian Upper House voted against an amendment package providing, inter alia, for changing the flag to include a red strip representing the blood split during resistance against the French colonial authorities. The Upper House members voted 33 against and 22 in favor of the amendment, which also included abolishing the Upper House and changing […]
Mauritania: UN Calls for Direct Dialogue to End Political Impasse
The UN has called the Mauritanian regime and opposition to open direct talks in order to overcome the socio-political crisis, which has been gripping the country for many years, hindering the country’s development and economic growth. Both camps have been in finger-pointing game since 2009, year when Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was sworn in as […]








