AGP Executive Report

Western Sahara: The UN Security Council failed to renew MINURSO after Russia vetoed a US-backed draft and the US blocked Russia’s proposed one-year extension. The mission’s mandate is due to expire, leaving its future uncertain and raising regional concerns. Senegal Ties: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani arrived in Dakar for a summit on sport and development held alongside the Youth Olympic Games. Digital Cooperation: Mauritania and Morocco are advancing digital ties, with their state agencies sharing expertise and exploring joint projects for public services and citizens. Diaspora: Mauritania’s first Diaspora Forum opened in Nouakchott. Ghazouani called for stronger consultation, better access to services and greater diaspora participation in national development. Security Support: The EU approved €20 million in non-lethal surveillance equipment for Mauritania’s armed forces, bringing its total bilateral support through the European Peace Facility to €75 million.

Western Sahara: The UN Security Council failed to renew MINURSO’s mandate after a U.S.-drafted resolution was vetoed by Russia and a Russian proposal fell short of the votes needed. The impasse leaves the mission’s future uncertain in a dispute in which Mauritania has played a historic role. Diaspora: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani opened Mauritania’s first Diaspora Forum in Nouakchott, calling for stronger consultation, better services and greater participation by citizens abroad in national development. Senegal Ties: El Ghazouani arrived in Dakar for a summit on sport and development, following an earlier visit there by the two countries’ prime ministers to Mauritania’s SNIM mining facilities and a seafood factory. Digital Cooperation: Mauritania’s State Digital Agency held talks with Morocco’s Digital Development Agency on sharing expertise and developing joint projects. Health Partnership: Health Minister Naha Hamdi Mouknass and India’s ambassador discussed cooperation in medical training, pharmaceutical production and healthcare capacity.

Russia-Africa Ties: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani returned to Nouakchott after the Moscow summit, where Mauritania and Russia signed two agreements on extradition and the transfer of sentenced people. Development Finance: Mauritania called for better access to concessional and climate funding, stronger public-private partnerships and more effective use of development resources. Investment: Mining investor Appian plans to allocate about $2 billion to African projects and is assessing opportunities in Mauritania, but warns that policy uncertainty can divert capital elsewhere. Senegal Partnership: The two countries’ prime ministers toured SNIM’s iron-ore facilities and a seafood-processing plant in Nouadhibou, highlighting industrial and fisheries cooperation. Border Security: Mali’s army says it targeted militants near the Mauritanian border; local campaigners report 13 people, including women and children, were killed. Migration: Irregular crossings on the West African route fell 45% in the first nine months of 2026, with Frontex citing preventive measures by Mauritania and regional partners, though deaths and rescues continue.

Diplomacy: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani returned to Nouakchott after the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, where Mauritania and Russia signed two judicial cooperation agreements. Investment and Development: Mauritanian officials promoted investment in talks with European and Spanish business representatives, while an Islamic Development Bank mission reviewed development projects and future support. Regional Security: Reports say a Malian drone strike near the Mauritanian border killed 13 people, including women and children; Mali’s army said it targeted militants. Trade and Industry: Mauritania’s prime minister and his Senegalese counterpart visited iron ore producer SNIM and a Nouadhibou fish-processing plant, highlighting cross-border economic ties. Health: A Nouakchott clinic reported a 90% stone-free rate in the country’s first documented series of laser kidney-stone procedures.

Russia-Africa Summit: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has left Moscow for Nouakchott after attending the summit, where Mauritania and Russia signed two agreements on extradition and the transfer of sentenced people. Investment and Finance: In Madrid, Economy Minister Mohamedou Ahmedou Mhaimid promoted Mauritania’s investment reforms in talks with Spain’s Chamber of Commerce and called for better access to development and climate financing. Mining: London investor Appian is considering opportunities in Mauritania as part of a planned $2 billion African investment, but its chief executive warned that policy uncertainty can drive capital elsewhere. Health and Social Care: A Nouakchott clinic reported a 90% stone-free rate in Mauritania’s first documented laser kidney-stone procedures; Qatar Charity has also begun work on a rehabilitation and training village for children with disabilities. Football: FC Nouadhibou will face Tunisia’s Espérance, Angola’s Petro Atlético and Wiliete in the CAF Champions League group stage, which begins in late November.

Health: Mauritanian surgeons reported a 90% stone-free rate in the country’s first documented series of laser kidney-stone procedures. The 20 patients were treated in Nouakchott, at an estimated cost of about €920 each. Children’s Services: Qatar Charity has begun work on a rehabilitation and training village in Nouakchott for children with disabilities, in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Action. Judicial Cooperation: Mauritania and Russia signed agreements on extradition and the transfer of sentenced people, while their justice ministers also discussed wider legal cooperation. Development Finance: In Madrid, Mauritania’s economy minister called for better access to concessional and climate funding and stronger public-private partnerships. Football: FC Nouadhibou will face Esperance, Petro Luanda and Wiliete in Group A of the CAF Champions League.

Russia–Africa Summit: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani joined the plenary in Moscow, as Mauritania’s AMI news agency signed a cooperation deal with Russia’s TASS. Energy: Mauritania, a Gas Exporting Countries Forum observer, joined calls for fairer gas pricing and stable supplies. Digital Infrastructure: Ghazouani inaugurated Nouakchott’s first national data center, designed to store and protect sovereign data and support secure services. Football: FC Nouadhibou qualified for the 2026/27 CAF Champions League group stage, becoming one of 16 teams to reach the draw. Human Rights: Mauritania presented its fourth national report to the UN’s Universal Periodic Review in Geneva. Business Ties: The employers’ federation chief and British ambassador discussed investment opportunities in agriculture, fishing and mining, and ways to strengthen private-sector cooperation.

Russia-Africa Summit: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani arrived in Moscow for the summit, where Mauritania is seeking to strengthen cooperation with Russia and other African states. Energy: At the parallel Gas Exporting Countries Forum summit, members called for fairer gas pricing and stable supplies; Mauritania is an observer state. Human Rights: Mauritania presented its fourth Universal Periodic Review report in Geneva, outlining its commitments and cooperation with the UN on rights protections. Digital Infrastructure: President Ghazouani inaugurated Nouakchott’s first national data center, designed to secure sovereign data and support public and private digital services. Media Cooperation: Mauritania’s AMI news agency and Russia’s TASS signed a deal to exchange expertise and collaborate on training. African Football: FC Nouadhibou is among the 16 teams in the CAF Champions League group-stage draw.

Russia-Africa Summit: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has travelled to Moscow for the summit, where Kremlin officials say he is due to meet Vladimir Putin later this week. Digital Infrastructure: The president inaugurated Nouakchott’s first national data center, designed to protect sovereign data and provide secure services to public and private institutions. Diplomacy and Investment: Mauritania’s foreign minister met EU, Italian and French diplomats to discuss closer cooperation, while the trade minister promoted investment opportunities in energy, tourism and the digital economy in Doha. Cost of Living: Annual inflation rose to 9.3% in September, up from 8.9% in August. African Football: FC Nouadhibou is among the 16 clubs confirmed for the CAF Champions League group stage.

Digital Infrastructure: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani inaugurated Nouakchott’s first nationally certified data center, designed to store and protect sovereign data and support secure digital services. Investment: In Doha, Trade Minister Zeinebou Mint Ahmednah promoted Mauritania’s 2025 investment law and opportunities in tourism, energy, trade and the digital economy. Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug met EU, Italian and French representatives to discuss strengthening cooperation and partnership. Food and Farming: The International Mauritanian Date Festival concluded in Tidjikja, showcasing local produce and efforts to develop date cultivation; Mauritania also presented its food-security priorities at an African food systems conference in Dakar. Prices: Annual inflation reached 9.3% in September, up from 8.9% in August, according to national statistics. Regional Ties: Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to meet Mauritania’s leader during this week’s Russia–Africa Summit. Football: FC Nouadhibou qualified for the CAF Champions League group stage, with the draw set for October 28.

Diplomacy: Mauritania condemned the launch of two ballistic missiles toward Saudi Arabia, affirming solidarity with the kingdom and urging respect for state sovereignty. Football: FC Nouadhibou has qualified for the 2026/27 CAF Champions League group stage; the draw is set for October 28. Mauritania’s U15 team, meanwhile, lost 5-0 to Ivory Coast at the World Cup. Economy: Annual inflation rose to 9.3% in September, up from 8.9% in August. Mining: Aura Energy is targeting a December investment decision for its Tiris uranium project, with first production projected for late 2028. Environment: Mauritania joined countries backing UN negotiations on a new protocol against transnational environmental crimes, including illegal mining and wildlife trafficking. Heritage: In Chinguetti, a family continues to safeguard more than 1,400 historic manuscripts at the Habott Library.

Football: FC Nouadhibou secured a place in the CAF Champions League group stage, with the draw set for October 28 and matches beginning November 27. Uranium Project: Aura Energy is targeting a December investment decision for its Tiris project, aiming for first production in late 2028. Western Sahara: A US draft at the UN Security Council would shift MINURSO toward a political mission and make Morocco’s autonomy plan the basis for negotiations. The Polisario Front has threatened to leave the peace process if the text passes unchanged; Mauritania is among the parties named in the proposed talks. Culture: In Chinguetti, Mohammed Abdullah Ould Gholam Habott continues to safeguard more than 1,400 historic manuscripts at his family’s library. Young Readers: Mauritanian student Di Shaikhen Al Zamraki is among the country champions competing for the Arab Reading Challenge title on October 29.

Western Sahara: A US draft proposes reshaping MINURSO and making Morocco’s autonomy plan the basis for negotiations, prompting the Polisario Front to threaten to leave the UN process. Mauritania has denied claims that it is seeking Morocco’s Lagouira territory and reaffirmed its support for a UN-led settlement. Mining and Energy: Mauritania is among eight countries joining a World Bank initiative to attract responsible mining investment and strengthen the sector. The government also says technical issues are delaying gas extraction. Heritage: In Chinguetti, Mohammed Ould Gholam Habott continues a family tradition of safeguarding more than 1,400 historic manuscripts. Youth: Mauritanian students will be represented at the Arab Reading Challenge final in Dubai on October 29, while Mauritania’s young footballers recorded a positive result at the FIFA U15 tournament in Azerbaijan.

Western Sahara: Mauritania rejected claims that it seeks Morocco’s Lagouira and reaffirmed support for a UN-led process as a US draft proposes major changes to MINURSO, including removing the referendum reference and backing autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. The Polisario Front has threatened to quit the process if the draft passes unchanged. Economy and Resources: Mauritania is among eight countries joining new World Bank mining compacts aimed at attracting investment and strengthening the sector. Its fisheries minister also held talks with the EU on negotiations, sustainable resource use and protecting shared interests. Culture: In Chinguetti, a family continues to safeguard more than 1,400 historic manuscripts, preserving a library collection built over three centuries.

Chinguetti’s Manuscripts: A family has safeguarded the Habott Library for three centuries. Its collection includes more than 1,400 manuscripts, among the oldest in West Africa. Reading Challenge: Mauritanian student Di Shaikhen Al Zamraki is among the finalists for the Arab Reading Challenge, which drew more than 40 million students across 60 countries. Winners will be named on October 29. Western Sahara: A US draft at the Security Council would make Morocco’s autonomy plan the sole basis for negotiations and reshape MINURSO. The Polisario threatens to quit the peace process if the text passes unchanged; Mauritania has reaffirmed support for a UN-led process and denied territorial claims over Lagouira. Mining and Fisheries: Mauritania is among eight countries joining a World Bank initiative to attract responsible minerals investment. Mauritanian and EU officials also discussed fisheries negotiations, including sustainable use of marine resources.

Western Sahara: A US draft would overhaul MINURSO, sharply reduce its uniformed presence and make Morocco’s autonomy plan the basis for talks. The Polisario Front says it may leave the UN process if the draft passes. Mauritania has separately denied territorial claims over Lagouira and reaffirmed support for a UN-led solution. Diplomacy: Mauritania’s foreign minister and his UAE counterpart discussed bilateral ties and regional developments by phone. Mining and Fisheries: Mauritania is among eight countries in a new World Bank metals and minerals compact initiative focused on investment and sector development. Mauritanian and EU officials also discussed key issues in ongoing fisheries negotiations. Transport: A Moroccan transport union says four truck drivers were hospitalized after suspected mosquito-borne illnesses contracted in Senegal; it also cited lengthy border checks in Mauritania and rising costs on regional routes. The illnesses have not been officially diagnosed.