Featured stories about Mauritania
Stories about Mauritania
Netizen Report: Conflict triggers internet shutdowns in Mauritania, Myanmar and Ethiopia (again)
Struggles for political power in Myanmar, Mauritania and Ethiopia led to widespread shutdowns of internet services this week.
Mauritanian blogger escaped the death penalty, but remains behind bars
Ould Mkhaitir was prosecuted for writing an article in which he criticised the role of religion in Mauritania’s caste system.
Mauritanian bloggers face defamation charges for reporting on corruption
The public prosecution accuses the two bloggers of spreading what it deemed were "false" reports of corruption allegations against the Mauritanian President.
The untold tragedy of 28 Mauritanian soldiers executed on Independence Day
"Great nations ... never try to erase a dark episode out of their history, but instead, show it to the world for everyone to remember and say 'NEVER AGAIN'."
Mauritania keeps anti-slavery activist Biram Dah Abeid in prison — and far away from parliament
Biram Dah Abeid, who is also an elected government official, is accused of slandering and threatening a journalist with close ties to the Mauritanian government.
Originally Sentenced to Death, a Blogger Goes Before Mauritania's Supreme Court
In 2014, Ould Mkhaitir was arrested and convicted of "apostasy" over an opinion article in which he addressed Mauritania's discriminatory caste system.
Death Penalty Still Looms for Mauritanian Blogger Who Spoke Out Against Caste-Based Discrimination
"This sentence signifies a step backwards in terms of tolerance and shows just how much issues of cast, religion, slavery and therefore democracy are taboos in Mauritania."
Mauritanian Authorities Once Again Go After Anti-Slavery Activists
"Many work without rest, without wages for their master's benefit. They do not have the right to education, to freedom of movement, to travel or marry, without their owner's consent."
Moroccans Rally for Unity, While Sahrawis Push for Independence After Ban Ki-Moon’s ‘Occupied’ Remark
"When will you be relieved from your prolonged pain? Oh, my homeland. Peace be upon you"
Refugees Met with Generosity and Suspicion in France
Despite enduring fear and suspicion towards refugees, many citizens initiatives have been launched or scaled up in France to meet their needs.
What Do Africans Think of the Film ‘Timbuktu’ About Life Under Islamic Militants?
In Africa, opinions are divided on the Mauritanian film "Timbuktu." Some love it, others think external factors are the reason for its success.
What Drives Blasphemy Charges in the Middle East? (It's Not Just Religion)
Sentenced to death for his online writing, Mauritanian blogger Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mohamed is yet another victim of a repressive government using “apostasy” pretexts to crack down political speech.
Activists Persecuted for Opposing Land-Grab-Driven Slavery in Mauritania
Dah Abeid and a few other human activists were arrested by the police in November and are now awaiting their trials.
AQIM Losing Ground to Dāʻish in the Sahel Region
While the Islamist group Boko Haram threatens to extend its caliphate in the north -east part of Nigeria, major developments are taking place in the Sahel with respect to the security of the region. Kaci Racelma, a Nigerien blogger wrote in his blog A Niamey ( In Niamey) about the relationship...
Stop Using Growth as an Excuse to Pollute, African Activists Say
The impact of 2014 World Environment Day on Africa: The need for growth on the continent does not absolve nations from protecting the earth, African advocates say.
Moroccan Hackers Attack Mauritanian Government Sites
A group of hackers calling themselves the “Moroccan Secret Agent” have succeeded in breaching and seizing control [ar] of several Mauritanian governmental websites. The group defaced the websites with slogans insulting the Mauritanian president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, and his Algerian counterpart, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, calling the two heads of state “enemies...
Mauritania and the Presidential Elections
Presidential elections are planned for June 21 in Mauritania. Many opposition groups have already said they would boycott the elections, whose results are evident even before votes are cast.
Two Activists Arrested During Electoral Crackdown in Algeria
Mohand Kadi and Moez Benncir had the misfortune of sipping a coffee on a terrace at the same time as opposition movement Barakat! staged a demonstration ahead of presidential elections.
Mauritanian Police Clamps Down on Black Protest
On May 4, 2014, Mauritanian police broke up [ar] a massive gathering in Nouakchott. People were commemorating [ar] the return of a group of Mauritanian blacks [ar] from Senegal in 2008 [en] , after being subjected to forced displacement in the aftermath of the bloody events [en] which occurred between 1989 and 1991. On April...
When Will Impunity End for Slave Traders in Mauritania ?
A protest coordinated by several Mauritanian civil society organizations and political parties was held on April 29, 2014 in Nouakchott. The protest was initiatied by members of Haratin tribe who demand more rights and the enforcement of existing laws. This protest marks the first anniversary of the Haratin Manifesto [fr]. The...
Are Economic Sanctions Effective Against Rogue Rulers?
Economic sanctions are often proposed to penalize countries guilty of bad government. But do they actually help bring about good government?
