Following several years of instability, Mauritania has in more recent years managed to maintain internal stability.
Human rights and political governance consistently raise concerns and are closely followed by EU countries, the EU and human rights organisations.
A lack of sustainable and inclusive growth persists, with nearly a quarter of the population still food insecure, despite an improved economic situation. Through its role in the fight against crime and illegal immigration and its geographical proximity to Europe, Mauritania is a strategically important country in West Africa.
Our priorities
The basis of programming in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania is a joint framework document between the European Union (EU) and its Member States (MS). The programming exercise was also informed by an assessment of EU policy towards this partner country for the period 2021-2027. In connection with the new Sahel strategy of the European Union adopted in April 2021, the extent and nature of European support in Mauritania will be determined by the efforts made by the Mauritanian authorities, as well as by evaluating the obtained tangible results.
This framework includes three priority objectives:
Strengthening human development
Based on the country’s diagnosis, the analysis of the national development plan, the SAGSP (Strategy for the Accelerated Growth and Shared Prosperity), and the priorities of the government and of the Sahel Alliance, the strengthening of human development is identified as a priority area for the EU in Mauritania. A particular emphasis will be placed on the socio-professional inclusion of young people, towards equal treatment and access to opportunities, as well as the fight against all forms of discrimination, including those gender-based and more vulnerable groups.
Transition to a green and blue economy
The “Transition to a Green and Blue Economy in Mauritania” represents an opportunity to promote the ambition of the EU on the "Green Deal", a key priority of the European Commission 2019-2024, and this is in line with the SAGSP and more particularly its pillar "Promoting a strong, sustainable and inclusive growth”, but also fully consistent with the strategy “From farm to fork" which is at the heart of the European Green Deal and the priorities of the Sahel Alliance.
Governance
By building on the achievements of previous cycles, the interventions in this area, guided by the 2030 agenda and the vision of a sustainable future, as well as EU forest policies and its common policies for agriculture and fisheries, will promote inclusive and sustainable growth, good governance, enhanced food and nutritional security, with significant potential for creating decent jobs, and will help lay the foundations to promote private investment for equitable and inclusive socio-economic development.
Our programmes
The Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Mauritania for 2021-2024 amounts to €125 million.
Priority area 1: ‘’Strengthening human development’’ supports the improvement and reform of the education system through the implementation of the national policy in the education sector. It Furthermore, it improves and grants more equitable access to quality health care for all the population, in line with the National Health Policy; the goal is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030. Finally, it promotes the integration of socio-professional opportunities.
Priority area 2: ‘’Transitionto a green andblue economy’’ promotes integration opportunities, particularly for young men and women, through the implementation of national policies in the technical and vocational training sectors. Furthermore, it forwards the integration of socio-professional opportunities, through the implementation of national policies while strengthening the sustainable development of the blue economy through the guidance of EU policies, particularly in the fisheries sector.
Priority area 3: ‘’Governance’’ advances public finance and administrative reforms in order to make management more efficient and improve the quality of services to citizens. In addition, it focuses on stability and security by strengthening the stabilization and consolidation of the presence of the State in the remote areas of the South-East and extending it to the outlying districts of Nouakchott. Finally, it plans to enhance migration governance.
Support measures
Mauritanian civil society experienced exponential growth from the 1990s and today it is mainly composed of recently created and mostly formal organizations. However, this large number of diverse organizations has yet to build the mechanisms that would allow them to ensure structuring and coordination between themselves in order for them to fully play their own roles.
The capacities of civil society organizations (CSOs) have been strengthened, in particular thanks to the support program for civil society and culture, funded by the European Union. In addition to supporting actions for civil society through thematic programs centered on human rights and democracy, support should be provided for structuring CSOs that aim to strengthen civil society, build its capacities, promote the establishment of consultation frameworks and encourage organizational culture.
Documents