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Mauritania: UAE targets Mauritania, sets foothold there with investment commitment
Abu Dhabi, Feb 2, 2020 - The United Arab Emirates will pump $2 billion into investment and development projects in Mauritania, state media said Sunday during a visit by the country's new leader renowned for his anti-jihadist stand. "The UAE announced on Sunday the...
Immigration: Spain faces spike in migrant arrivals
Madrid, Feb 4, 2020 - The number of migrants reaching the Canaries soared last month to 18 times the level of a year ago, Spanish government figures showed on Tuesday. The spike has raised fears of a resurgence of migrant traffic to the Atlantic islands, a route taken...
Analysis: Northern half of Africa bracing for upheaval this year
MEA Risk LLC - 29 January 2020: There has been a dangerous escalation of security risks and instability in the Maghreb and Sahel region since the start of 2020. War looks set to intensify in countries like Libya, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali and others in the...
With large Chinese community in the continent, Africa seeks to prevent spread of coronavirus
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, Jan 29, 2020 - African states, including the continent's biggest economy Nigeria, on Wednesday said they had begun to introduce measures aimed at stopping the spread of the new coronavirus. No verified infection has been reported to date in...
Mauritania: Authorities arrest men over homosexuality
Nouakchott, Jan 28, 2020 - Prosecutors in the Mauritania, where homosexuality is outlawed, have detained and charged 10 young men after a video presented as a "gay marriage" surfaced, a legal source said Tuesday. "The prosecutor's office sent the young homosexual...
Sahel: Concern in France as US military prepares to reduce its presence in the Sahel
Washington, Jan 27, 2020 - French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly warned Monday that expected cuts to the Pentagon's African operations would hamper efforts against jihadist groups, especially in the Sahel region. But US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper made clear...
Mauritania: Disaster at sea, scores of Europe-bound migrants drown off the coast of Nouadhibou
Nouakchott, Dec 5, 2019 - At least 58 migrants trying to reach Europe from West Africa died as their makeshift boat capsized off the coast of Mauritania, but dozens of survivors managed to swim to shore. Wednesday's sinking was the largest known loss of life along the...
Mauritania: State TV claims foreigners took part to anti-election protests, but shows no proof
Nouakchott, June 27, 2019 - Mauritanian television has broadcast detained foreigners purporting to confess that they had taken part in protests against the outcome of last weekend's presidential elections. State TV showed individuals from neighbouring countries,...
Sahel: New dictatorship in Mauritania after General Ould Ghazouani declared victory
Nouakchott, June 25, 2019 - Mauritanian police raided the headquarters of two opposition parties, closing one of them amid high tension followed a disputed outcome to presidential elections, sources said Tuesday. The operation late Monday came after police clashed...
Mauritania: Another general takes over power in North Africa
Nouakchott, June 23, 2019 - Government candidate and frontrunner Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has won an absolute majority in the first round of Mauritania's presidential election, with nearly all votes counted, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) said on...
Sahel: Mauritania regime frees two bloggers on bail
Nouakchott, June 3, 2019 - Two Mauritanian bloggers were freed on bail Monday after being held for more than two months on accusations of defaming President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, one of their lawyers said. Their release as the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan...
Mauritania: Blogger Ould Mkheitir still held in prison
Nouakchott, April 24, 2019 - A Mauritanian blogger who came to world attention after being given the death penalty for blasphemy is being held in "temporary detention" despite serving jail time under a downgraded sentence, the justice minister said Wednesday. Cheikh...
Sahel: Former PM Boubacar announces candidacy for Mauritania presidential race
Nouakchott, March 16, 2019 - Former prime minister Sidi Mohamed Ould Boubacar on Saturday announced he would stand in Mauritania's presidential election as an "independent candidate", but with support from the opposition Islamist party Tewassoul. Boubacar, 61, said in...
Mauritania: Suspects arrested in bank holdup in Nouakchott
On 5 June, in Toujounine, an agency of Attijari Bank was held up at gunpoint by three individuals. Three suspects were apprehended.
The Sahel about to be more militarized, as Russia looks for some action in Niger and Nigeria
The North Africa Journal- August 23, 2017- More trouble ahead for the Sahel region and West Africa. On 22 August, Russia's Defense Ministry announced that it has signed a military cooperation agreement with Nigeria and Niger. The deal not only will allow officers from...
Two Sahel nations take different paths to their constitutions: Mauritania changes it, Mali does not
The North Africa Journal- August 21, 2017- Two Sahel countries, Mauritania and Mali, have been preparing to amend their constitutions. But while the Mauritanian President managed to get his referendum, Mali’s President announced that he was giving up the idea. ...
Mauritania: Nine dead in clashes between army and drug traffickers
Near Zouerat, in Northern Mauritania, nine drug traffickers and contraband smugglers were killed in a violent skirmish against the army, according to security sources. At least four troops were also wounded.
Despite economic hardship, defense spending in North Africa & Sahel on the rise
The North Africa Journal | April 27, 2017: Despite severe economic performances affecting the countries’ revenues, North Africa, including the Sahel, witnessed an increase in military expenditure in 2016, growing 2.2% to US$ 21.264 billion versus 2015. The...
Mauritania: Five political activists arrested
The North Africa Journal | April 26, 2016: Five members of the movement against constitutional revision proposed by the president have been arrested by the police in the economic capital of Mauritania, Nouadhibou on 23 April. The men were arrested for writing...
Instability in North Africa and Sahel claims over 8,500 deaths in 2016. MEA Risk expects 2017 to be another crisis year
Miami, FL – MEA Risk LLC - The North Africa and Sahel zone witnessed a 16.0% increase in the number of destabilizing critical incidents in 2016 to a total of 11,916, according to MEA Risk LLC. Despite such increase, MEA Risk’s Instability Index, measuring the crisis...
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