Maghreb Edition

Sahel: Mauritania also shuts downF

Posted On 16 March 2020

Number of times this article was read : 369

MEA Risk Brief: Several measures have been taken by the public authorities to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in Mauritania. After the suspension of flights in the middle of the week, the government decided to limit the number of access points to the territory, which are now down to eight crossing points spread across seven regions of the country. Schools, universities and institutes are now closed for a week throughout the national territory as of Monday, 16 March. And all cultural and artistic activities have been suspended until further notice.

The Mauritanian employers’ union said on Sunday that the country has enough food and that no price increases will be recorded during the period when measures are taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Mauritania also sent two planes to retrieve the Mauritanians stranded in Morocco, after this country has decided to suspend air flights to some twenty countries including Mauritania.

The North Africa Journal's WhatsApp Group
.

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Morocco: Employment Gains Concentrate in Urban Centers as Rural Areas Fall BehindF

Morocco’s labor market showed strong job creation in 2025, but the gains were overwhelmingly concentrated in urban areas. While cities absorbed nearly all new employment, rural regions continued to lose jobs, exposing a widening divide that leaves young people, women, and rural workers increasingly disconnected from the recovery.

Egypt and Turkey Test Pragmatic Rapprochement After Years of EstrangementF

Egypt and Turkey are cautiously rebuilding relations after years of estrangement, driven by shifting regional dynamics and converging state interests. Recent defense-industrial cooperation and renewed diplomatic engagement point to a pragmatic recalibration rather than full political reconciliation, as both countries test whether managed coordination can replace prolonged rivalry.

Egypt Deepens Defense-Industrial Engagement With ChinaF

Egypt is advancing defense-industrial cooperation with China through localized production, joint exercises, and expanded military training links. Developments during 2025 point to a pragmatic effort by Cairo to diversify suppliers and strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity, while Beijing cautiously broadens engagement beyond conventional arms sales.

Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.