The German government, under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has initiated a renewed focus on strengthening ties with Mauritania, signaling a potential shift in Berlin’s Sahel strategy. A telephone conversation between Chancellor Merz and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani on Friday underscored the intent to deepen cooperation in areas of economic and energy policy, according to government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius.
The explicit acknowledgment of Mauritania’s “special role for stability in the Sahel region” is particularly noteworthy. This emphasis comes amid escalating security concerns and political instability across the region, complicated by military coups and the expansion of extremist groups. While ostensibly a gesture of support, observers suggest this focus on Mauritania may also reflect a pragmatic assessment of the country’s strategic importance as a comparatively stable, albeit authoritarian, actor.
Mauritania’s track record on human rights and democratic governance has faced scrutiny in the past, raising questions about the potential compromises inherent in prioritizing regional stability over upholding European values. Critics will likely assess whether Berlin’s renewed engagement risks providing legitimacy to Ghazouani’s government, which has been accused of suppressing dissent and eroding democratic institutions.
The scheduled meeting between Merz and Ghazouani at the upcoming European Union-African Union summit in Luanda on November 24th and 25th provides a crucial platform to define the scope and conditions of this collaboration. Both sides described this summit as “an important basis for future cooperation between Europe and Africa” yet questions remain about the specifics of that cooperation and whether it will be accompanied by a stronger commitment from Germany to promote human rights and good governance within Mauritania. The Luanda summit is expected to draw significant attention regarding the balance between security interests and democratic principles in Europe’s engagement with the Sahel.
