Mauritania
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Population
4.9M
GDP
$10.0B
Capital
Nouakchott
Government
Unitary semi-presidential Is...
At a Glance
Human Development
0.6
HDI (0-1)
Democracy
4.0
EIU (0-10)
Press Freedom
—
RSF score
Corruption
—
TI CPI (0-100)
Innovation
—
GII score
Happiness
—
WHR (0-10)
Mauritania sits at the crossroads of North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, bridging the Arab and African worlds. It is a member of both the Arab League and the African Union, giving it a unique diplomatic position. The country withdrew from ECOWAS in 2000 and has pursued closer ties with North African and Gulf states.
Mauritania faces significant challenges including desertification, food insecurity, and the lingering legacy of slavery. It has been relatively successful in combating jihadist threats compared to its Sahelian neighbors, though security in the broader region remains a concern. Offshore gas discoveries promise economic transformation in the coming years.
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As Mauritania, position yourself as a bridge between the Arab world and Sub-Saharan Africa. You can speak credibly in both the Arab Group and the African Group. On security, highlight your counterterrorism successes and advocate for development-led approaches to extremism.
Support Palestinian rights in line with Arab Group consensus. On climate, emphasize desertification and food security as existential threats for Sahelian nations. Partner with Senegal and Morocco on migration and fisheries issues. Avoid the Western Sahara debate -- Mauritania renounced its claim in 1979 and prefers neutrality.
Foreign Policy
Mauritania balances its Arab and African identities, maintaining membership in both the Arab League and the African Union. It has strengthened security cooperation with Western partners, particularly France and the United States, in the fight against Sahelian jihadism.
Nouakchott normalized relations with Israel in 1999 but broke them off in 2009 over Gaza. It maintains close economic ties with China, the Gulf states, and the EU (particularly on fisheries agreements).