Zawaya

Initiative in Mauritania remains insufficient for many reasons despite its importance

By: Mohamed Yehdih Ould Baba Ahmed

Security is a serious concern for the Arab Maghreb, where the African Sahara is considered a safe haven for the organization of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. This concern is even worsened with the weak material resources of the Maghreb countries, and the lack of border security in the region. In the last decade, Mauritania has had to face a comprehensive threat of multiple shapes and dimensions, and with intertwined purposes and interests, ranging from the terrorism of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, to the dual tide of organized crime with its double dimensions, drug trafficking and human smuggling.

All Arab Maghreb countries have suffered, with varying degrees, from the impacts and effects of these swirls. However, Algeria and Mauritania were the most affected countries given the vastness of their shares of the desert, and their geographical location. Given its size, Mauritania is less able to endure and face those massive risks than its neighbor Algeria that has a long experience in the field.

One of the most important measures taken by the Mauritanian State to face these problems is the establishment of 45 crossing points for entry and exit, in order to achieve a certain extent of security control. This initiative deserves appreciation and praise, for both its objectives and desired outcomes on the short and long terms. However, we believe that this step is still not sufficient, for many reasons:

1 – The perimeter of Mauritania is around 4500 km; if divided by the number of checkpoints, the result will be an average of one post for every 100 km. This shows the size of the remaining gap for the passage of smuggled goods, illegal immigrants and Salafist infiltrators.

2 – All these dangers are internal and linked to the country’s social fabric, and might have strong sources of support that can enable them to abort all control attempts. What is even worse is the corruption that might rot the security systems themselves, and void any reform from its goals.

3 – The problem of globalization that lies in the Internet, which facilitates communication and transfer of experience. Add to that the great potential of smugglers who are able to adapt to all circumstances, such as owning aircrafts that can land in the deep desert, etc.

What is the solution then?

The solution or salvation, in my view, lies in the coordination of Maghreb security, intelligence and military efforts, in order to obtain the depth and capacity that lack individual initiatives. The indications of this approach have started to take shape in some Maghreb countries, especially in Algeria, Libya, and Mauritania along with Mali and Niger, while the political barrier hinders similar initiatives within the Maghreb.

In conclusion, we can say that the Mauritanian step, although important, still needs complementary initiatives, while the core of the problem remains under the control of Maghreb political systems that can decide whether or not to fight this phenomenon. Therefore, the Mauritanian initiative alone – despite its importance – remains insufficient for more than one reason.