Political Geography: Mauritania / Topic: Security

Author:: International Institute for Strategic Studies
Publication Date:: 06-2020
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: International Institute for Strategic Studies
Abstract:: Since the early 2010s, increased volatility in the Sahel has aroused widespread concern, spurring the establishment of regional and international groupings to deal with the many security and governance challenges that have undermined stability in the region. Among those efforts were the creation of the G5 Sahel cooperation framework (2014), the G5 Sahel Joint Force (2017), the Sahel Alliance (2017) – and more recently, in June 2020, the International Coalition for the Sahel, to tackle instability in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. Those five countries are the focus of this paper.
Topic:: Security, International Cooperation, Governance, and Humanitarian Crisis
Political Geography:: Africa, Mali, Chad, Mauritania, Niger, and Burkina Faso

Author:: Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Publication Date:: 03-2019
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Abstract:: Increased attacks from militant Islamist groups in the Sahel coupled with cross-border challenges such as trafficking, migration, and displacement have prompted a series of regional and international security responses.
Topic:: Security, Migration, Regional Cooperation, Trafficking, and Displacement
Political Geography:: Africa, Mali, Chad, Mauritania, Sahel, and Niger

Author:: Anouar Boukhars
Publication Date:: 04-2012
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Abstract:: The trans-Saharan region is emerging as a hotbed of instability and insecurity. A confluence of forces, from the revolts in North Africa and the proliferation of weapons to transnational trafficking of illicit goods and terrorist activity led by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, are generating acute interest in this part of the world.
Topic:: Security, Corruption, Islam, and Fragile/Failed State
Political Geography:: Arabia, North Africa, and Mauritania

Author:: Mathurin C. Houngnikpo
Publication Date:: 01-2012
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Abstract:: A spate of military coups from 2008 to 2010 in Mauritania, Guinea, Niger, and Madagascar raised the specter of a return to military rule in Africa. While the subsequent resumption of civilian government in Guinea and Niger has reduced these concerns, evidence of military influence in politics remains widespread across the continent. This is prominently in view in Egypt where, in the midst of political transition, the military is attempting to maintain a privileged role for itself despite the widespread demands for genuine democratic reform.
Topic:: Security, Democratization, Politics, and Armed Forces
Political Geography:: Africa, Egypt, Guinea, and Mauritania

Author:: Damien Helly
Publication Date:: 11-2012
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: European Union Institute for Security Studies
Abstract:: On 19 November, the Council of the EU welcomed the Crisis Management Concept for a possible EU training mission for Mali, paving the way for the launch of a CSDP operation replicating the work done in Uganda with Somali troops. And many in Brussels have started to speak of EUTM Mali, as if EUTM and more generally the EU approach to the crisis in Somalia was a relevant model for action in Mali.
Topic:: Conflict Resolution, Security, Terrorism, and Insurgency
Political Geography:: Uganda, Afghanistan, Africa, Europe, Somalia, Mali, and Mauritania

Author:: Cédric Jourde
Publication Date:: 09-2011
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Abstract:: Until recently, the Sahel (as-Sahil), literally the “shore” of the Saharan “sea,” rarely made headlines. Nevertheless, the expanding nexus of illicit trafficking and transnational Islamist terrorism—and the increasingly serious risk this poses to stability in the region and to international security—is attracting growing attention. These concerns will likely mount as al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) attempts to use the window of opportunity presented by the Arab Spring to reestablish itself in North Africa while transitional governments there devote much of their energy to rebuilding state institutions. In turn, an unstable North Africa, especially Libya, could further exacerbate insecurity in the Sahel as unsecured weapons and trained mercenaries filter their way into the region.
Topic:: Security, Crime, and Narcotics Trafficking
Political Geography:: Africa, Libya, Arabia, and Mauritania

Author:: Pierre Razoux
Publication Date:: 12-2010
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: NATO Defense College
Abstract:: At a time when the Atlantic Alliance has just adopted in Lisbon its new strategic concept which acknowledges the importance of the partnerships linking it to its partners, it is worth asking a few questions about ways of giving fresh impetus to the Mediterranean Dialogue (MD), especially with the Maghreb countries. Why this focus on North Africa? For two reasons. First of all because cooperation between the Alliance and the Maghreb countries has not yet reached the same level as cooperation with the Mashreq countries, despite some positive signs that this could change for the better in the near future. Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia have in fact reached agreement with NATO on individual cooperation plans (ICP) which it is hoped will enable them to put in place those partnership actions best suited to their needs, while at the same time rationalizing the Alliance's assistance effort. Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia have also signed agreements with NATO on the protection of classified information which make it possible for them to have access to a more ambitious level of cooperation.
Topic:: International Relations, Security, NATO, and International Cooperation
Political Geography:: Algeria, North Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, and Mauritania

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