Mauritanian Minister of Defense, Hanena Ould Sidi, Is on tour of the Sahel States in an effort to enhance cooperation in fighting the terrorism plaguing the entire region. The states on the tour include the three members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as none member Chad. The tour is seen as an effort to resolve the tension between Mauritania and the AES over their accusations that Mauritania has been allowing its territory to harbor the terrorist organizations they are currently battling. The tour is also seen as an effort to revive the G5 Sahel group which comprises all five countries. Founded in 2014 the group was formed to foster regional cooperation but has been all but dormant since 2022 when the AES States left the organization.
The first leg of Defense Minister Hanana Ould Sidi’s tour began on June 15 in Bamako, capital of Mali where he was received by Interim President of Mali Assimi Goïta, for whom he was carrying a message from Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, according to a statement by the Malian Presidency.
Following the meeting, Hanana Ould Sidi indicated that he had conveyed the Mauritanian president’s fraternal greetings to Assimi Goïta, emphasizing the historical ties of friendship, solidarity, and brotherhood that unite the Mauritanian and Malian peoples. He also stated that the transitional president had instructed him to convey his greetings and best wishes to his Mauritanian counterpart.
The letter also addressed Mauritania’s candidacy for the post of Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
