Mauritania - IOM Mauritania and the Government of Japan have signed an agreement to implement a project that will enhance border management and better protection of communities along the Mauritania and Mali border.

The 24-month USD 3 million project: “Enhancing the Collective Capacity for Managing Borders and for Protecting Border Communities between Mauritania and Mali” seeks to facilitate greater cooperation between the governments of Mauritania and Mali.

“The countries share a 2,237 km long porous, boundary. This project will contribute to the overall security in border areas by fostering stronger bilateral coordination and information sharing mechanisms,” said Anke Strauss, IOM Mauritania’s Chief of Mission.

“In addition, the project will, for the first time in Mauritania, actively engage local communities in the protection and security of the border area. This funding is therefore highly relevant and timely,” she added.

Working with Mauritania’s Ministry of the Interior and Decentralization and the General Directorate for National Security, the project will improve the security of the vulnerable populations in areas bordering Mali.

The two governments recently initiated talks over security issues faced at their common borders, including the expansion of transnational criminal networks and the increased presence of terrorist organizations that control the irregular movement of persons, weapons, drugs and other criminal activities through unofficial routes along the vast border area.

On the border, Mauritania currently has only 15 border posts, while Mali has just four.

Under the project, Mauritania and Mali will share and facilitate development of a national border management strategy, border policies, training modules and materials for border police.

IOM has other on-going projects, including some financed by the Government of Japan, that have greatly contributed to enhanced border control in the region.

For more details, please contact

Momme Ould Helly Ducros
IOM Mauritania
Tel: +222 36360450
Email: mducros@iom.int