The Peace and Security Competence Centre, Africa Department of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), based in Dakar, and the think tank Mauritanie Perspectives co-organized a two-day reflection workshop on 22 and 23 April 2025 in Nouakchott on the theme: “Sahel-Sahara Security Cooperation: What Role for Mauritania in Regional Security?” Civil society actors, policy experts, defence and security experts, and journalists analysed the security and geopolitical context in light of recent developments in the Sahel-Sahara region, and discussed Mauritania’s contribution to regional stability.
In the Sahel, the evolution of security challenges is amplified by geopolitical rivalries and the redefinition of regional alliances. In a region marked by insecurity, Mauritania occupies a position of relative stability. According to participants, the country owes its success in combating domestic terrorism to a combination of strengthened military capacity, border control—primarily with Mali—regional initiatives such as the G5 Sahel, and a theological approach aimed at dismantling extremist narratives.
Thanks to these efforts, Mauritania is a pioneer of stability in the broader Sahel-Sahara region, but this national stability remains fragile. To preserve it, Mauritania must reinforce its internal mechanisms to ensure social cohesion and internal security. Regional disparities in development threaten social balance. According to participants, political reforms must be accelerated, inclusive governance promoted by involving youth, women and local communities, and a people-centred security strategy adopted to guarantee stability. Participants stressed that the major progress Mauritania has made in terms of governance in recent years must be consolidated—particularly through increased investment in social infrastructure. The influx of victims of irregular migration and resettled Malian refugees is increasingly seen as a national concern and is generating tensions with certain neighbours. An urgent response to the perceived crisis of transmigration and immigration can only be found through dialogue and cooperation with neighbouring countries.
In the face of regional and global geopolitical upheaval, Mauritania has adopted a sober and cautious stance. The rise of the AES (Alliance of Sahel States), born from the ashes of the G5 Sahel, marked a turning point in inter-state relations and contributed to the weakening of regional collective responses. Owing to its success in tackling domestic terrorism and its position as a geographic and socio-cultural bridge between the Sahel and the Sahara, Mauritania views itself as an appropriate and credible mediator for conflicts in the broader region. According to several participants, the country remains reserved when it comes to proactive mediation but is ready—should it be called upon—to take on a more active role.
Given the underlying tensions between certain Sahel-Sahara neighbours, it is imperative to activate a diplomacy of de-escalation. Participants agreed that Mauritania has important lessons in politics, diplomacy, and military strategy to share with its neighbours, while remaining open to learning from its peers. However, participants were clear: due to differing contexts, caution is advised against simply transposing Mauritania’s approach to neighbouring countries.
Similarly, the retreat of some Western partners and the growing role of other international actors in the region have influenced the political and military approaches to security threats in the Sahel-Sahara. While recognising the influence of foreign actors, participants clearly stated that efforts to stabilise the region must remain in the hands of regional actors. To that end, it is crucial to prioritise context-specific solutions and make use of traditional, dialogue-based mechanisms in efforts to resolve conflicts and prevent terrorism.
Regional and international geopolitical upheavals were viewed by participants as opportunities for evaluation and reflection on shared interests. The collective development of a common vision for regional security must be rooted in dialogue. This presupposes, first and foremost, a clear commitment by states and their leaders to move beyond the prevailing climate of mistrust. Targeted efforts will be needed to reduce latent tensions and strengthen the effectiveness of current cooperation initiatives.
With its experience in counterterrorism, its diplomacy of “positive neutrality,” and its key geographic position between the Sahel and the Sahara, Mauritania can play a decisive role in renewing regional cooperation on security matters. A shared vision of security in the region must take into account both national realities and relationships with external actors. Ultimately, in the unanimous view of participants, human security is the essential requirement for achieving lasting regional stability.
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+221-33-8692727+221-33-8692728info(at)fes-pscc.org
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