Mauritania chooses neutrality

It takes a certain sense of diplomacy to take one path without giving up the other. After the coup in Niger, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania first condemned the coup by the former head of the presidential security force, General Abdurahmane Thiani. In a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 26, the same day that Mohamed Bassoum was removed from office, the Mauritanian government stated the following. “With great interest in the development of the condition of this brotherly country” and ” Renew the outright rejection of unconstitutional changes.

This situation shocked the international community. This is the first time Mauritania has publicly condemned the fate of Malian Ibrahim Boubacar Keida (overthrew in 2020), Guinean Alba Kante (in 2021) or Burkinabe Roche Marc Christian Gaboré (in 2022). Conspiracy “Mauritania has always had a very sensible and very measured approach, Alain Antil, responsible for monitoring sub-Saharan Africa at the French Institute for International Relations (IFRI), explains. It never appears on the front line and favors the diplomatic route. »

“He denounced this time in principle, A North African observer adds. Because in 2005 and 2008, before being democratically elected in 2019, the Mauritanian president participated in the last two in his country.

A country free from jihadism

Is the report of a return to constitutional order in Niger dictated by the regional epidemic of coups? Mohamed Ould Gazouani is currently the democratically elected president of the G5 Sahel, which includes Mauritania, Chad, Niger and Burkina Faso (Mali has withdrawn). According to multiple sources, security has been tightened around the Mauritanian head of state since July 26. “As a former intelligence chief and then a former commander-in-chief, President Khasovani is well versed in the mysteries of national security, Alain Antill explains. For a long time, the army has been at the center of concerns: recently salaries have been increased and foreign training is offered to officers. » Mauritania can also congratulate itself for becoming a safe country. Niger – which killed at least 17 soldiers in a terrorist attack on Tuesday – continues to suffer from attacks by jihadists in Mali and Burkina Faso, which has not seen an attack on its territory since 2011.

Since the coup in Niger, the Mauritanian president has been repeatedly encouraged by his colleagues to become more involved in this new Sahelian crisis. Mauritania has not been part of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) since 1998. In Abuja, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani attended the ECOWAS meeting as the current chair of the G5 Sahel on August 9. “He received a strong request from Mackie Chall [président du Sénégal favorable à une intervention] to weigh with its full weight, A close friend of the Mauritanian president says. He received a visit from an influential Mauritanian Tuareg in the Sahel, notably an advisor to President Bassoum, who tried to convince him to agree to the idea of ​​military intervention. But Mr. Kasovani’s position remained the same: Nouakchott Even though he was a friend of Mohamed Basoom, he would not support the fallen regime beyond press coverage. »

The participation of Mauritanian soldiers in a possible intervention with ECOWAS and the West African Armed Forces leaders are not on today’s agenda when they meet in Ghana on Thursday August 16 and Friday August 17 to discuss the procedures.

The same position regarding the severe economic and financial sanctions imposed on Niamey: Nouakchott refused to align itself with the position of ECOWAS. When the blockade was imposed on Mali, Mauritania refused to close its border, while its port was one of Bamako’s main trade routes. Mohamed Ould Ghazowani is also wary of the displeasure of the Malian junta, which has promised Nigerian rulers their solidarity. “Mauritania does not want to alienate Mali’s military regime”, President says. She no longer wants to risk damaging her relationship with Niger.