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A camel in the desert in front of sand dunes in Adrar, Mauritania
Image: imagebroker/Imago ImagesImage: imagebroker/Imago Images

Mauritania

Mauritania is a sparsely populated nation of 4 million people that borders Algeria, Mali, Morocco and Senegal in Western Africa's Sahel region. It achieved independence from France in 1960.

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All Content on this topic

DW "Global Us" Sendungslogo Composite

Deforestation means hunger — Global Us

Indigenous peoples in Indonesia are suffering from hunger. In Mauritania, the desert is swallowing cultural sites.
Nature and EnvironmentOctober 21, 202426:04 min
Magazin Global Us am 21.10.2024 - Mauretanien Wüste

Mauritania: The desert is swallowing its heritage

Chinguetti in Mauritania is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But now the desert is encroaching.
ClimateOctober 21, 202406:37 min
Maïmouna Hamadi, a religious guide, speaks to DW in a village square

Mauritanian women take lead in preventing extremism

Mourchidates, key figures in Mauritanian society as religious teachers and family counselors, help to ensure peace.
SocietyAugust 15, 202403:48 min
A live vest hangs on a boat and rescue personnel stand, out of focus, in the foreground

Dozens killed, many missing in migrant wreck off Mauritania

At least 300 people, mostly from Senegal and Gambia, were on board when their boat capsized off the coast of Mauritania.
CatastropheJuly 24, 2024
Kenyan President William Ruto

AfricaLink News: 05 July 2024

Kenya: Ruto makes concessions +++ Mauritania: bodies of 89 migrants recovered +++ Iran: voters head to run-off election
PoliticsJuly 5, 202402:39 min
Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani speaks to the media after he cast his ballot

Mauritania: Incumbent holds lead in presidential election

Provisional results showed President Ghazouani is expected to win Saturday's election as counting was underway.
PoliticsJune 29, 2024
A herd of camels sits on the desert sand, as an iron ore train passes in the background

Sahara Express a 'lifeline' for Mauritania

Traders, families, goats, camels and thousands of tons of iron ore roll through one of the world's most remote regions.
TravelJune 26, 202407:07 min
DW "Global Us" Sendungslogo Composite

Mauritania's iron ore train and repair revival: Global Us

India plans to stop e-waste, China's Gen Z search for jobs and Mauritania's desert express train crosses the Sahara.
Nature and EnvironmentJune 24, 202426:04 min
This photo taken near the fishing village of Calhau in Sao Vicente on March 5, 2024 shows peoples belongings and a pirogue

Migrants turn to Mauritania as new EU transit route

Thousands of Africans continue to try to reach Europe by sea from Mauritania, despite facing inhumane conditions.
MigrationJune 10, 2024
A view of people on a beach, with boats seen in the background

Mauritania sees rise in African migrants heading for Europe

The city of Nouadhibou has become a transit hub for thousands of people seeking to make the perilous journey to Europe.
SocietyJune 7, 202405:01 min
Mauritania players sing national anthem during a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier

AFCON 2023: Minnows Mauritania looking to suprise

At their third consecutive AFCON, Mauritania won't be satisfied unless they manage to advance from the group stage.
SportsJanuary 15, 2024
Members of the refugee fire brigade are seen conducting an exercise to prepare for a real fire

Mauritania: The refugees putting out fires - and prejudice

As Mauritania faces its bushfire season, a group of refugees teams up with the local community to put out the flames.
ConflictsDecember 27, 2023
The Meharistes patrol remote Saharan communities on camelback to curtail jihadi insurgents.

Mauritania: Camel corps patrols Sahel desert

The Meharistes patrol remote Saharan communities on camelback to curtail jihadi insurgents.
ConflictsDecember 14, 202302:03 min
A group of people work to stop a spreading fire, beating the smoking ground with branches

Malian refugees give back to Mauritanian farmers

Some 500 Malian refugees have protected grazing lands and livestock near the Mbera refugee camp in Mauritania.
MigrationDecember 11, 202302:13 min
DW "Global Us" Sendungslogo Composite

Global Us - What connects us all

Ukranian veteran amputees get help in the US. How do Kyrgyzstanis see the Ukraine war? And where's China's baby boom?
SocietyOctober 13, 202326:06 min
Svenja Schulze in Nouakchott

German development minister starts tough West Africa mission

Kicking off a four-day trip to West Africa, Svenja Schulze said achieving regional stability remains a challenge.
PoliticsAugust 15, 202303:25 min
German Development Minister Svenja Schulze leaving Luftwaffe plane in Nouakchott, accompanied by Mauritanian Economy Minister Abdessalem Ould Mohamed Sale

Germany's development minister arrives in Mauritania

Germany's development policy chief will discuss the situation in Africa's Sahel region with high-ranking officials.
PoliticsAugust 14, 2023
Activist speaks during a picket against Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill

Are African LGBTQ rights improving?

Although there has been some progress on the protection of LGBTQ rights in Africa, many people are still at risk.
Human RightsMay 17, 202301:22 min
Two men squat on sandy ground and search. In the background stand other people.

Mauritania's young gold prospectors

Poverty and desperation has caused many young men to search for gold in the Sahara Desert.
SocietyMay 4, 202306:39 min
DW Global 3000 Sendungslogo Composite

Global 3000 - The Globalization Program

Who spreads misinformation about renewable energy? Plus: Mauritanian prospectors seek desert gold.
GlobalizationApril 30, 202326:06 min
A man sits in one of the rooms where some of the 700 manuscripts privately owned by his family are preserved in Chinguetti,

The ancient archives of Chinguetti

The UNESCO World Heritage City of Chinguetti houses several libraries with historical Arabic manuscripts.
LifestyleApril 15, 20237 images
Südafrika Demonstration gegen Gewalt an Ausländern

AfricaLink on Air - 11 April 2023

What is Kenya's first earth observation satelite expected to achieve?+++ Expert on African countries and space tech
PoliticsApril 11, 202329:59 min
Standbild "Reporter" | Goldschürfer in Mauretanien

Gold Rush in Mauritania

In Mauritania, thousands risk their lives and their health digging for gold in the desert.
BusinessMarch 25, 202312:36 min
Aerial view shows a freight train on a track running down the centre of the image, with a tableland ridge visible in the background

Mauritania: A wild train ride through the Sahara

Mauritania is home to the longest train in the world. But this free, daily trip to the coast is far from a comfy ride.
TravelMarch 25, 20236 images
A file photo of Mauritanian anti-terrorism police in the back of a pickup truck

Mauritania: Four jihadists escape after jail break

Mauritania has largely been unscathed by the Islamist terrorism that has affected its neighbors in the Sahel region.
ConflictsMarch 6, 2023
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World Stories - The Week in Reports

Mauritania: Hunting terrorists - on camels, Bali: Commerce over Jihad
PoliticsJanuary 14, 202312:36 min
Bar La Terrasse in Bamako, Mali

US indicts Mauritania national over terror attacks in Mali

Fawaz Ould Ahmed is accused of being involved in multiple deadly attacks in Mali in 2015.
TerrorismDecember 11, 2022
Eco Africa | Sendung 25.03.2022 | Mauretanien

Paving the way for Mauritania's renewables exports

Mauritania plans to boost its green energy production and even export it.
Nature and EnvironmentMarch 24, 202203:30 min
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World Stories - The Week in Reports

Mauritania: Camel corps boosts regional security, Guantanamo Bay: Twenty years on
PoliticsJanuary 15, 202212:35 min
Mauretania - camel in the desert

Mauritania's camel corps

Authorities have resurrected a nomadic police force to help protect local communities.
January 15, 202202:53 min
DW Videostill | TN Camel Corps

Camel corps takes on terrorism in West Africa

Mauritania has resurrected a 100-year-old nomadic police force to fight jihadis in the Sahara Desert.
Law and JusticeDecember 21, 202101:50 min
French soldiers patrol in northern Burkina Fasso in an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC)

Mali: Dozens killed in militant raids on villages

More than 50 villagers are massacred by suspected extremists in northern Mali.
ConflictsAugust 9, 2021
Former Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz

Mauritania: Former president arrested amid graft probe

Ex-leader Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was detained after failing to report to a judge.
Law and JusticeJune 23, 2021
Tschad Besuch des Präsidenten von Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré

AfricaLink on Air - 15 February 2021

Intv: G5 Sahel leaders meet +++ Guinea declares new outbreak of Ebola virus
PoliticsFebruary 15, 202130:00 min
Abakar Abdelkérim (L), chief of general staff of the Chadian army, talks with General Jean-Pierre Perrin (R), commander of the French forces in Gabon, at the handover of ERC 90 Sagaie light armoured vehicles

France to meet Sahel leaders over Islamist insurgency

French President Macron is thought to want backing for a troop drawdown amid growing numbers of French combat deaths.
ConflictsFebruary 15, 2021
Couscous

Couscous joins intangible heritage list

Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritania got together to highlight their shared love for the Berber dish.
CultureDecember 17, 2020
Members of the Polisario Front

Clashes in Western Sahara threaten cease-fire

The UN has expressed grave concerns and urged Morocco and the Polisario Front side to show restraint.
ConflictsNovember 14, 2020
Life jackets float in the water off the Sicilian island of Lampedusa in southern Italy

Single migrant survives shipwreck near Mauritania

A boat carrying around 40 migrants and refugees sunk off the coast of Mauritania, killing almost everyone on board.
SocietyAugust 6, 2020
Mauretanien, Kaedi: Operation Flintlock

Fear reigns in Africa’s Sahel amid US military drawdown plan

The annual US-led military exercise known as Flintlock is underway in Mauritania.
PoliticsFebruary 28, 2020
A Eurocopter Tiger helicopter lands in Sevare, Mali

US troop drawdown from Sahel puts pressure on Europe

The US may withdraw troops in Africa's west just as the Sahel needs them most, say experts.
ConflictsJanuary 31, 2020
A French soldier facing backward - Operation Barkhane

Crisis summit on terror in the Sahel region

France and West African leaders are meeting on Monday to find new strategies in the fight against terror in the Sahel.
PoliticsJanuary 9, 2020
Sandstone cliffs at Cap Blanc, near Nouadhibou, Mauritania

Dozens killed as boat sinks off Mauritania

At least 150 migrants were on board the vessel that departed from Gambia at the end of November.
MigrationDecember 5, 2019
external

Mauritania elects new president

Mauritania has a new president: Mohamed Ould Ghazouani won the elections with an absolute majority.
PoliticsJune 25, 201901:52 min
Ghazouani declared himself the winner of the Saturday polls

Ex-general wins Mauritania presidential polls

Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has won Mauritiania's presidential election with an absolute majority.
PoliticsJune 24, 2019
Street in Mauritania

Greening Mauritania's capital one street at a time

A youth project to plant trees in Mauritania's capital Nouakchott is helping to protect the city from coastal erosion.
Nature and EnvironmentDecember 17, 201803:23 min
eco@africa Nneota Egbe Moderator

Welcome to the latest edition of eco@africa

On this week's show: an eco canoe club in South Africa, top sustainable festive trends and greening in Mauritania.
Nature and EnvironmentDecember 14, 2018
DW Eco@Africa Teaser 3 mit Partnerlogo Kwesé

Eco@Africa – The Environment Magazine

On this week's eco@africa: canoeing for nature, greening Mauritania's capital and sustainable Christmas trends.
Nature and EnvironmentDecember 13, 201826:00 min
The G5 Sahel Force HQ in Mali

EU, France increase aid to Africa's Sahel

More aid has been pledged to help five Sahel states combat lawlessness and violence with development projects.
PoliticsDecember 6, 2018
DW eco@africa - The coast of Mauritania

Bringing equilibrium back to Mauritania's coast

Diawling National Park and sustainable water management programs are bringing back Mauritania's delicate natural balance
Nature and EnvironmentOctober 9, 201804:22 min
Logo "Global 3000"

Global 3000 - The Globalization Program

Worldwide, some 700 million young women and girls were married under the age of 18.
SocietyJuly 21, 201826:00 min