Russian Foreign Priest Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday offered support for Mauritania in the battle against jihadism in the Sahel, claiming he respected the country’s position in the Ukraine war.
His Mauritanian counterpart stressed his nation’s “respect for the regulations of global regulation”, while saying he “understands” Russian safety and security worries.
Lavrov’s check out to Nouakchott is part of a wider diplomatic offensive by Russia in Africa, where the battle has increased tactical competitors between world powers.
On Tuesday, he went to Mali, where Russia has actually become an essential companion of the ruling junta.
There, he guaranteed to aid Sahel and also Gulf of Guinea nations in the fight against jihadism, and also hinted at boosted participation on the continent.
Mauritania is a crucial nation between the Maghreb and also sub-Saharan Africa.
Jihadism has spread out in the Sahel nations of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger and also now endangers the Gulf of Guinea further south, although Mauritania has not seen an assault considering that 2011.
The vast, mostly desert country of 4.5 million enacted March 2022 in favour of a UN resolution contacting Russia to instantly cease its army procedures in Ukraine.
Numerous African nations stayed away or did not vote.
In October, Mauritania elected a resolution versus Russia’s addition of four areas of Ukraine. However in November it avoided a vote on battle reparations that Russia ought to pay to Ukraine.
” We have actually shared our regard for Mauritania’s constant plan of neutrality on all axes,” Lavrov told press reporters Wednesday.
But, he claimed, that nonpartisanship did not protect against Mauritania from proactively dealing with “issues” in the area.
” I am discussing the terrorist risk in the Sahel-Saharan region”, Lavrov stated.
He likewise cited the dispute in between Morocco as well as the Algerian-backed Polisario Front over the Western Sahara, which borders Mauritania.
” We will proactively sustain these initiatives of our African close friends, based upon the principle that they are interested in aid in this job,” he added.
At a joint press conference, Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug spoke of “particular constants” in Mauritanian diplomacy consisting of “regard for the rules of international law as well as the concepts of the United Nations Charter”.
However he claimed “Mauritania recognizes Russia’s safety and security worries and also thinks they ought to be taken into consideration for its vital function in protection and also stability in Europe and also at the international degree.”
Lavrov was obtained by Mauritanian Head of state Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, the nationwide news company reported.
Last Updated: 10 February 2023
