In Nouakchott, the desert wind carries many secrets. But behind the dunes and the apparent silence, Mauritania has been weaving, for several years, a discreet yet remarkably effective diplomatic web. While attention turns to the continent’s giants, this Sahelian country, long marginalized, is slowly establishing itself as an increasingly indispensable geopolitical actor.
A Strategic Crossroads Between the Maghreb and Sub-Saharan Africa
Few African countries can boast such a geographical position. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, at the crossroads of the Maghreb and West Africa, Mauritania occupies a key location. It shares its borders with Western Sahara, Algeria, Mali and Senegal — all sensitive areas in terms of security and politics.
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“Mauritania is a natural bridge between the Arab world and Black Africa,” explains Khaled Ould Mahmoud, an international relations researcher based in Nouakchott. “This dual cultural identity gives it a unique ability to engage with very different partners.”
This position has long been a weakness, particularly due to internal ethnic tensions and terrorist threats. But over the past decade, Mauritanian authorities have managed to transform this challenge into an opportunity, by becoming a credible interlocutor in the most sensitive regional matters.
A Behind-the-Scenes Diplomacy, Yet Remarkably Effective
While other African countries multiply summits and public declarations, Mauritania advances in silence. Its diplomacy, rarely covered by the media, relies on solid networks and a posture of active neutrality.
In 2017, it was in Nouakchott that a confidential meeting was held between representatives of Libya, Chad and Sudan, under Mauritanian auspices, in an attempt to defuse tensions in the Fezzan. No official communiqué was published, but several observers maintain that this meeting helped prevent a military escalation.
“Mauritanian president Mohamed Ould Ghazouani takes a very subtle approach to international relations,” confides a West African diplomat posted in Dakar. “He favors discreet channels and silent mediations, but he gets results.”
Mauritania is also one of the few countries in the Sahel to maintain stable relations with all of its neighbors, including Morocco and Algeria — two regional powers that often disagree.
A Central Role in the Fight Against Terrorism
At the heart of the Sahel, Mauritania was long considered a vulnerable target for jihadist groups. Yet, since 2011, no major attack has been carried out on its soil. An exception in a region plagued by endemic violence.
The secret behind this success? An integrated security strategy, combining military reforms, regional cooperation and community dialogue. The country has invested more than 20% of its annual budget in defense and security, according to data from the Ministry of Finance.
But beyond the use of force, it is the finesse of the approach that impresses. “They understood that the war against terrorism cannot be won with weapons alone,” analyzes Fatimata Sow, a Sahelian security analyst. “They involved tribal leaders, imams, and young people. They severed the links between armed groups and local communities.”
As a result, Mauritania is today seen as a model in the fight against violent extremism. It even trains officers from other G5 Sahel countries, such as Burkina Faso and Niger.
A Partner Coveted by Major Powers
Long ignored by major capitals, Mauritania is now attracting the attention of foreign powers. The United States has strengthened its military cooperation there. France, present through Operation Barkhane until 2022, maintains close ties. And China, discreet but determined, is investing in infrastructure and mineral resources.
In 2023, the European Union signed an enhanced cooperation agreement with Nouakchott, including a sensitive migration component. Mauritania, which controls a strategic portion of the route to the Canary Islands, has become an essential link in the European framework.
“Mauritania has become a reliable, stable partner capable of managing complex issues,” states a senior European official. “It plays a buffer role between crisis zones and the Atlantic coast.”
And that is not all. The country has recently drawn closer to Turkey and Qatar, further broadening its alliance spectrum, while maintaining a balanced posture between competing blocs.
Natural Resources in Service of Influence
Geopolitics is not only played out on maps, but also beneath the ground. And Mauritania has a significant asset: its natural resources. Iron, gold, copper, offshore gas… the Mauritanian subsoil holds treasures that are still largely untapped.
The Grand Tortue Ahmeyim gas project, carried out with Senegal and the giants BP and Kosmos Energy, was expected to enter production in 2024. It could bring the country several billion dollars over the next two decades.
“It is a soft but powerful weapon,” estimates Ahmed Salem, an economist at the University of Nouakchott. “By becoming an energy exporter, Mauritania can carry more weight in regional negotiations.”
The government appears to be fully aware of this. It is multiplying bilateral agreements, while being careful not to fall into dependence on a single partner. A diversification strategy that strengthens its diplomatic room for maneuver.
A Rare Political Stability in the Region
While several Sahelian countries have experienced recent coups, Mauritania displays remarkable political stability. The transition between Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and Mohamed Ould Ghazouani in 2019 took place peacefully — a first in the country’s history.
This stability, though fragile, has become a major asset in international negotiations. It reassures investors, lends credibility to diplomatic commitments and strengthens Nouakchott’s voice on the continental stage.
“It is no coincidence that the African Union and ECOWAS regularly consult Mauritania on sensitive matters,” notes a diplomatic source in Addis Ababa. “It is seen as a moderating force, capable of speaking to everyone.”
But this stability rests on a delicate balance among the various components of Mauritanian society. Ethnic tensions, the human rights issue and economic challenges remain potentially explosive fault lines.
So, will Mauritania be able to continue playing this balancing act in such an unstable environment? Or will it ultimately be caught up by the regional turbulences it has so skillfully dodged until now?
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The Mauritanian trajectory can be compared to the Africa GDP ranking, to the most developed countries in Africa and to African capitals. These benchmarks provide a broader framework for geopolitical analysis.
