Mohammed Lemin Khattari: "A stable Mauritania means a calmer Europe"

The Mauritanian journalist, Mohammed Lemin Khattari, analysed Queen Letizia's upcoming trip to Mauritania on Onda Madrid's radio programme "De cara al mundo” and commented on the characteristics of his country and the current situation there.

Does Queen Letizia's visit strengthen the relationship between Spain and Mauritania?

Indeed, the government and people of Mauritania have always regarded Spain with great affection and respect, a respect based on the relationship and collaboration between their governments and the affection that exists between the two peoples. In my country we have many relations with Spain and the Mauritanians have a deep respect in social and sporting spheres, and Spain is considered the best neighbour in the region. 

We have seen at first hand the hospitality of the Mauritanian people towards Spaniards, as they have welcomed us with open arms, and it is a place where entrepreneurs can have new business opportunities.

Perfectly, the Government has recently made new decrees and laws to improve and protect Western investors in general and specially to favour the Spanish since we have a history of commercial relations between businessmen from both regions in sectors such as fishing, construction, and other economic sectors. The Government of Mauritania aims through these actions to improve relations between the two countries and expand the fields of action for the good of the future of both countries. Mauritania can be the gateway for Spanish businessmen to the rest of the African countries.

Queen Letizia will visit Spanish cooperation projects in health, governance and gender equality, rural development, and food security. 

That's right, all of this is what is planned in the programme that the Queen of Spain will carry out in the country. A large part of the visit is focused on helping with issues related to health, equality between men and women and aid against gender violence, however, access to better education will also be promoted, as well as humanitarian aid for the construction of schools. On the other hand, Queen Letizia, accompanied by the First Lady of Mauritania, will visit a centre to help children with autism and children with special needs in general.

We visited the needs centre for children with autism, and the experts are doing a commendable job with the support of the First Lady Mariem Dah. Does the cooperation between the governments of Spain and Mauritania, with their police forces controlling illegal immigration, work?

Of course it does, both Spaniards and Americans, or anyone else, can see the example of the vigilance and cooperation that exists between Mauritania and Spain, with a mixed guard between the Spanish Civil Guard and the Mauritanian police, where they carry out maritime patrols, and we are setting a great example of cooperation between governments. According to the latest data on this issue, Mauritania has been able to stop several attempts at illegal immigration to Spain thanks to the work of the two bodies. The two countries collaborate by providing information and designing joint action plans to curb the actions of illegal immigrant smuggling networks. Three months ago, the Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, met with his Mauritanian counterpart, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, and they were happy with the work being carried out by both countries. I would like to remind you that illegal immigration is a constant risk and poses a threat to the entry of sub-Saharan groups into Europe, which is why collaboration between the two countries is key.

Should the EU be more involved in this issue so that Mauritania can develop better?

The Mauritanians believe that Spain is doing everything it can, and it is the EU's job to play a key role in helping Mauritania, not only in this area but also in social areas to improve its preparedness. A strong and stable Mauritania greatly helps stability in the region, and this translates into a calmer Europe, which is why the Mauritanians believe that Europe should strengthen aid and possibilities for cooperation in various areas. Following the outbreak of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with the situation as it is in Mali, and everything that is happening in the region... Europe needs to strengthen its alliances with countries, especially with Mauritania, which has a very long border with Mali and is experiencing instability with the recent changes of government and the presence of mercenaries from the Wagner group.  For the moment, there is no threat of any kind, but, given Mauritania's geographic location, it needs to reinforce its border. 

The stability of Mauritania is the stability of North Africa and the stability of North Africa is the stability of Spain and the European Union.

Indeed, we all want a stable region.