Mauritania Roundup: Renewable energy, assistance for flood victims, education issues

Education Ministry meets student unions

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Niang Mamadou received delegates from some student unions on February 29 to deliberate on issues regarding some demands for scholarships and social assistance among others. The Ministry pledged the release of some funds including 30 million MRO (US $751,691.28) for social, cultural, and sporting action. It also noted that the ministry is working towards expanding student accommodation with time to contain larger numbers of students than it currently is under the CNOU project, Lauthentic reports.

Seventh Summit of Heads of State and Government

President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Cheikh Al-Ghazouani was present to participate in the Seventh Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Algeria, Mauri Actu reports. The event was held in Algiers on March 2, to launch a strategic dialogue and broad partnership to enhance a secure and sustainable energy future as well as strengthen partnerships to improve the gas market. Algerian President who was present at the event said that his country has joined the forum as an observing member. The forum, which was established in 2001, includes 12 countries: Libya, Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. 7 countries of note including Angola, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Malaysia, Mozambique, and Peru are also part.

Assistance for flood victims 

Mayor of Boghé in the Brakna Region of southern Mauritania Bâ Adama Moussa indicated that the “Assistance to the people affected by floods in the wilayas of Brakna and of Assaba” project being implemented in response to disasters caused by floods in 2023 will contribute towards relieving the suffering of the victims. Speaking at the launch of the programme on February 28, Mr. Moussa said the 6-month project funded by the Ministry of French of Europe and Foreign Affairs will also strengthen response efforts and provide quality aid to the populations, Le Calame reports.

Interior Ministry summons political actors

Political actors who had previously deposited files with the General Administration of Drafting, Political Affairs, and Public Liberties, to obtain licenses for political parties have been summoned by the Ministry of Interior and Decentralization of Mauritania. The ministry also summoned political actors whose parties were dissolved based on the results of the last two local elections the country witnessed in 2018 and 2023. The summoned parties must appear at the relevant administration’s offices, starting March 4. Each party must be represented by one authorised representative who must be present with their national identification card, the Sahara Media reports.

Renewable energy cooperations

Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Mohamed Al-Ghazouani has indicated plans to join forces with Qatar in various fields, especially in the energy sector. According to him, this will strengthen the potential for enhanced cooperation between both countries in the gas and renewable energies sector. He indicated possible collaborations between Qatar Energy and the Mauritanian Hydrocarbons Company in the field of exploration, adding that Qatar Energy was present at the level of Section 10 of the coastal basin in Mauritania in partnership with Shell and the Mauritanian Hydrocarbons Company, Al Akhbar reports.