Source : Sahel weather December 2024 

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Mauritanian news at the beginning of December highlighted the kidnapping of six Mauritanians on Malian territory, by Russian forces of the Africa Corps (ex-Wagner) in the company of Malian soldiers. Faced with growing misinformation on this affair, Mauritanian government spokesman Houssein Ould Medou was quick to provide details of a Malian army operation in the localities of Hassi Laghdaf and Taleb Abdallah in which “Mauritanians were questioned and their vehicles seized” before being released with their belongings. In addition, the authority stressed that many of the reports relayed were false, and at no time did it mention the involvement of Russian forces.

This incident on the Mauritanian-Malian border is reminiscent of the Fama raid with Russian mercenaries in April this year on Mauritanian territory, where 100,000 Malian refugees are present.

On the other side of the border, relations between Mauritania and its Moroccan neighbor, often tense because of the Sahara question, seem to be more cordial of late. Indeed, during his visit to the Cherifian kingdom, the President of the National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Mohamed Bemba Meguet, expressed his country's commitment to the development and promotion of historic and fraternal relations in various sectors. The parliamentarian also called for greater involvement of MPs in bilateral cooperation, notably through activation of the Morocco-Mauritania Parliamentary Forum. His counterpart, Mr Ould Erachid, President of the Chamber of Councillors, after welcoming the progress made in drawing up the legal framework governing bilateral relations, recalled the multifaceted challenges facing Africa and the Sahel-Saharan region. Terrorism, organized crime and human trafficking are serious security threats for the countries of this region.

However, with a view to strengthening its defense and security capabilities, Mauritania received medical, communications and firearms protection equipment from NATO, during a visit by NATO experts to Nouakchottt from December1 to 6. This support is part of the “DCB package for Mauritania”, which includes support for armed forces training, intelligence, career transition for military personnel, etc., with the aim of contributing to the maintenance of regional stability and security.