Latest news with #Mauritanian
Ya Biladi
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Following border closures, Polisario sends delegation to Mauritania
«A few hours after the phone conversation between Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his Mauritanian counterpart Mohamed Ould El Ghazouani, a Polisario delegation was swiftly dispatched to Nouakchott», a well-informed source told Yabiladi. «The members of this delegation landed last night at Algiers Airport. Led by Sahrawi Parliament President Hamma Salama, accompanied by a military commander, the mission's goal is to persuade Mauritanian authorities to reverse their decision prohibiting Polisario members from illegally entering Mauritania to carry out armed attacks against Morocco, particularly from the Lebriga region near the Algerian border», the source added. Last week, the Mauritanian army declared the Lebriga area «off-limits to civilians», followed by a troop deployment along the border with Algeria. On Tuesday, May 27, Mauritanian soldiers reportedly blocked Polisario members attempting to cross into the zone, forcing them to turn back towards the Tindouf camps. The Polisario delegation is hoping to secure an audience with the Mauritanian president. In Nouakchott, they also plan to meet with political party representatives and the President of the Mauritanian Parliament, who has family ties with his Polisario counterpart. It's worth noting that following a phone call from Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President Ould El Ghazouani agreed to invite Brahim Ghali to his inauguration ceremony, scheduled for August 1, 2024, marking the start of his second term.
See - Sada Elbalad
7 hours ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt Welcomes Election of Sidi Ould Tah as African Development Bank President
H-Tayea Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation of Egypt, extended her warm congratulations to H.E. Dr. Sidi Ould Tah on his election as the new President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group. The election took place during the Bank's Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, marking the beginning of Dr. Ould Tah's five-year term at the helm of Africa's premier development finance institution. The Minister welcomed the appointment, describing it as timely and significant for the continent. 'We wish the AfDB President success in supporting Africa's development journey, which is undergoing a crucial phase,' she stated. Dr. Ould Tah, a seasoned Mauritanian economist with over 35 years of experience in African and international finance, was elected by the Bank's Board of Governors — comprising Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors from the AfDB's 81 regional and non-regional member countries. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized that Dr. Ould Tah assumes leadership of the Bank at a time of mounting challenges for Africa, including the ongoing impacts of climate change, global economic volatility, and the growing pressures on multilateralism amid protectionist global trade trends. She expressed full confidence in his ability to steer the Bank forward and contribute to the realization of the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Highlighting his decade-long leadership of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Dr. Al-Mashat noted the significant achievements under Dr. Ould Tah's tenure. These included quadrupling BADEA's balance sheet, achieving top-tier credit ratings — including an Aa1 rating from Moody's and AAA from Japan's JCR — and advancing strategic development initiatives in food security, energy transition, and infrastructure. The Minister also voiced Egypt's commitment to deepening its partnership with the African Development Bank Group in the coming period. 'We look forward to strengthening cooperation with the AfDB to support our national development priorities and to empower the private sector, especially as we focus on resilience and sustainable growth,' she said. In her remarks, Dr. Al-Mashat extended appreciation to outgoing President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina for his decade of service (2015–2025), during which the AfDB significantly expanded its footprint across Africa, including deepening collaboration with Egypt on infrastructure, energy, and policy support. The African Development Bank Group consists of three entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF), and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). The Group comprises 81 member countries, including 54 African regional and 27 non-regional member states. With this new chapter under Dr. Ould Tah's leadership, Egypt reaffirms its commitment to supporting Africa's development vision and enhancing its active role in international financial cooperation frameworks. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
Middle East
8 hours ago
- Business
- Middle East
OPEN// FM had busy agenda last week
CAIRO, May 31 (MENA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty had a busy agenda throughout the past week, including several meetings and visits, within the framework of Egypt's harmonized diplomatic efforts to safeguard national interests and security. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday published an infographic highlighting Abdelatty's activities during the past week, which began with a meeting with the board chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce, in addition to the ministry's celebrations of "Africa Day". During his visit to Madrid, Abdelatty conferred with the Norwegian foreign minister and participated in the expanded ministerial meeting of the Madrid Group regarding the Palestinian cause. The foreign minister, on the fringe of the meeting, held meetings with the deputy prime minister and minister of foreign and European affairs of Slovenia, the Brazilian foreign minister, and the British minister for the Middle East and North Africa. Abdelatty took part in the Egyptian-American Economic Forum in Cairo and met with members of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries. During his visit to Nouakchott, the Egyptian top diplomat met with his Mauritanian counterpart and handed over a letter from President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to the Mauritanian president. Also, he held meetings with the Mauritanian prime minister, the speaker of the Mauritanian Parliament as well as ministers of health, trade and tourism, higher education and scientific research, energy and petroleum, and culture, arts, communication and parliamentary relations. (MORE) A A E/Y R E
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Can Mauritania's new dialogue heal historic divides or will it repeat past failures?
Without guarantees, President Ghazouani's dialogue — the country's sixth — could widen the political divisions that threaten stability. On 27 November 2024, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani called for a national political dialogue to strengthen social cohesion and consolidate democracy in Mauritania. In doing so, he fulfils an electoral promise and a key political commitment made in his second term. However, opinion is divided on whether this dialogue can succeed, considering that over the past two decades, five political dialogues (in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2017 and 2018) failed to resolve the country's fundamental problems. These include social divisions, poor governance and corruption, electoral dysfunction, the persistence of slavery, and the humanitarian liabilities caused by government abuses against black Mauritanian civil servants and soldiers between 1986 and 1991. According to unofficial figures, Mauritania's population is 70% Arab-Berber (30% Beydane and 40% Haratine) and 30% Afro-Mauritanian (Fulani, Wolof and Soninke). Beydane are historically dominant, holding political and economic power. The president's party and its parliamentary allies view the dialogue as an opportunity to enhance engagement between political actors. But the opposition remains cautious, wary that this might simply repeat previous futile exercises conducted since the country's transition to democracy in 1992. The new dialogue — which does not have a specific time frame — responds to repeated calls from opposition parties seeking an opportunity for frank debate to help solve the country's major challenges. Mauritania has been working to get the national dialogue started since February, with negotiations under way to secure participation from as many political and civil society actors as possible. Ghazouani first held meetings with political party leaders to encourage their involvement. Consultations Then dialogue coordinator Moussa Fall, former head of Mauritania's Central Bank and 1970s student struggle leader, began consultations with various stakeholders to outline the process and ensure their participation. Several political actors have already submitted their proposals for the dialogue's roadmap. However, some opposition leaders have set out conditions that must first be agreed to ensure the dialogue succeeds. The Union of the Forces of Progress demands that Ghazouani guarantee implementation of the dialogue's decisions and establish a consensual follow-up mechanism to ensure action is taken. The Alliance for Justice and Democracy party calls for official recognition of national languages, withdrawal of the national education framework law, and a repeal of the political parties law. The latter law was criticised for giving the Minister of the Interior excessive powers to recognise and dissolve political parties. The most notable rejection of the dialogue process so far is from Biram Dah Abeid, leader of the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement, which campaigns against slavery. Abeid was runner-up in the 2014, 2019 and 2024 presidential elections, and demands official recognition of his party. He also wants assurances that the government will resolve the case of young people killed during demonstrations in Kaédi following the announcement of the 2024 election results. Abeid further insists on transparency throughout the dialogue, pledges that its decisions will be implemented, and the appointment of a neutral body to supervise the process, instead of the Ministry of the Interior. The dialogue will have to deal with deeply opposing views on sensitive issues such as national languages, racial discrimination, historical humanitarian abuses and slavery. Arab nationalists in Mauritania argue that opening these issues up for debate could threaten the country's identity and national cohesion. Their recent outbursts on social media and in the press show their determination to oppose any discussion of these matters. 'Buying time' Meanwhile, black Mauritanian activists and the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement believe this dialogue will be no different from previous ones. In their view, past dialogues merely bought time for successive governments, as they failed to implement proposed decisions and solutions. Activists and supporters of Abeid's movement demand guarantees that debates will cover all issues without restriction, including building social cohesion and ending slavery practices. They also want the president's personal commitment to implement the dialogue's recommendations. Despite these many reservations, the government is forging ahead to encourage participation. Public opinion and democratic forces in Mauritania generally emphasise the need for national agreement on solving the divisive issues that threaten the country's peace, unity and justice. The planned dialogue has the potential to offer solutions. Ghazouani sought to provide reassurance on 11 March 2025, when he addressed leaders of the majority and opposition parties, expressing his commitment to organise a dialogue that would resolve fundamental problems of national unity and good governance. But in order to break with the tradition of one-off dialogues that achieve little, authorities must do more than make announcements. The success of this initiative will depend on its ability to tackle sensitive issues head-on through a transparent, inclusive process. An independent monitoring mechanism that all participants agree on is vital to ensure that concrete actions are taken in response to the dialogue's decisions. Without meaningful change, Ghazouani's dialogue risks deepening the political divisions it aims to reconcile, threatening stability in Mauritania. DM
Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Sahara : Moroccan drone strikes Polisario vehicles
On Thursday afternoon, May 29, a drone from the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) targeted and destroyed vehicles belonging to the Polisario. «The strike took place near Mijek, east of the Sand Wall, at the border with Mauritania. It is still too early to determine the exact number of casualties among members of the Front's militias. The vehicles were completely destroyed», a Moroccan security source told Yabiladi. Meanwhile, Polisario-affiliated media offered a different version of events, claiming that the Moroccan Air Force drone strike «killed Mauritanian civilians who were searching for gold». The Mauritanian press, particularly outlets based in the Zouerate region, has not yet reported on the incident. Typically, they are the first to cover FAR drone strikes when Mauritanian gold prospectors are affected, often providing the names of the victims. This was the case following the May 16 strike in the locality of Karzaze.
