Government spokesperson: Trachoma has been eradicated Through Self-help Efforts with the Testimony of the World Health Organization (WHO)

Mauritania was able to obtain a certificate from the World Health Organization (WHO) proving its success in eradicating trachoma among the 23 countries in the region, with its own efforts and without the help of any other party, said Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament, Spokesman of the Government, Mr. El Houssein Ould Medou.

Commenting on the statement on the issuance of a certificate from the World Health Organization (WHO) proving our country’s success in eradicating trachoma, while commenting on the results of the meeting of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday evening in Nouakchott with the Ministers of Real Estate, State Property and Land Reform, Trade and Tourism, Social Action, Childhood and Family, and the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Budget, he noted that trachoma is the second disease that Mauritania managed to eliminate after guinea worm in 2009.

Regarding the draft decree establishing the President of the Republic Award for the best voluntary work, the government spokesperson explained that this annual award, which has a financial value of six million old ounces, aims to promote the voluntary dimension and humanitarian initiatives, encourage youth to be creative and competitive, honor volunteers, and motivate them, in three areas (civil service, humanitarian aid, especially in times of humanitarian disasters, and initiatives of a creative nature).

Regarding the cancellation of the results of the recent driver’s license exam, the government spokesperson stressed in response to a question on the subject that the decision to cancel the exam came out of the government’s concern for merit and merit criteria after the similarities that marred the exam (99.99% of candidates passed), reassuring those involved in the process that the exam will be repeated.

The Minister of Real Estate, State Property and Land Reform, Mr. Mokhtar Ahmed Boussef, commenting on the draft decrees approving urban plans for the expansion of the city of Wompoou (Guidimagha), the community of Taka in Mahaama district (Korkel), and the community of El Bazoul in Antikan district (Atrarza), said that these projects came to secure citizens and their property from floods that may occur in some areas, by moving them to safe places.

He stressed that the decision to relocate some areas came after wide consultation with representatives of the population (local elected officials) and administrative authorities about the most suitable places for their housing after the damage caused by floods during the last fall season.

The minister highlighted that these three areas approved by the government will be provided with all basic services such as roads, educational and health facilities, indicating the number of plots of land that will be granted in these areas, green spaces, public facilities, and the size of the road networks.

For her part, the Minister of Trade and Tourism, Ms. Zainab Ahmednah, stressed that the verbal statement on domestic tourism, “My Country, My Destination”, is not subject to a temporary circumstance, but rather an ongoing national strategy, in response to the directives of His Excellency the President of the Republic, to spend the summer vacation at home, to encourage domestic tourism, given its pivotal role in supporting the national economy and promoting the country’s cultural heritage.

The program to support domestic tourism consists of several components, starting with a media campaign, which will use various media outlets (TV channels, regional radio stations, social media networks), as well as tourist shows, which will be organized in cooperation between the concerned government sectors and the private sector (tourism sector).

She added that among the components of the said program are cultural and sports activities to revitalize the tourist season, taking into account the specificity of each region (kaitana areas, beaches), calling on all Mauritanians to participate in sensitizing the importance of domestic tourism, especially those working in the media field, to highlight the great and diverse potential of tourism in Mauritania.

For her part, the Minister of Social Action, Childhood and Family, Ms. Savia Mint N’tahah, commenting on the statement on the National Social Protection Strategy 2025-2035, said that this strategy embodies the ambitions of the President of the Republic and is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union Agenda 2063 to respond to the challenges that have emerged despite the progress made by the 2013 strategy.

The strategy seeks to achieve social inclusion and combat exclusion by reducing poverty and vulnerability, promoting social justice, expanding social assistance programs, supporting livelihoods and employment, and improving social work for the most vulnerable groups, she said.

Among the strategy’s priority actions are expanding the supply of social assistance, expanding the circle of beneficiaries of health insurance, strengthening social safety nets, supporting the employment of youth and women, and implementing social work programs for vulnerable groups, she said, adding that the strategy has a detailed action plan, a monitoring and evaluation system and clear performance indicators to ensure sustainable funding.

The Minister Delegate to the Ministry of Economy and Finance in charge of the Budget, Mr. Kodioro Moussa N’guenore, said that the draft decree on the investment code includes the organization and functioning of the services responsible for the creation of companies, the approval and follow-up of investments, the composition of the application file, as well as the monitoring and follow-up procedures for companies benefiting from the benefits of the investment code.

It also clarifies the composition, governance and functions of the Ministerial Investment Council and its Joint Technical Support Committee, established by the Investment Code to consider applications for approval of the structural investment regime provided for in the Code.