The Ministry of Interior Condemns the Repeated Attacks on Mauritanian Citizens within Malian Territory

The Ministry of Interior, Decentralization Promotion, and Local Development issued a statement  Monday evening, expressing its strong condemnation and denunciation of the repeated attacks targeting the lives and property of Mauritanian citizens within Malian territory.

This statement came after a tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of Mauritanian citizens in Mali.

The ministry called on all citizens to fully comply with the instructions of administrative authorities and diplomatic missions, especially regarding travel within Malian territory and travel abroad, in order to ensure their safety and avoid any potential risks.

The following is the text of the statement, of which the Mauritanian News Agency received a copy:
“Following the tragic incident that claimed the lives of two Mauritanian citizens within Malian territory, the Ministry of Interior, Decentralization Promotion, and Local Development extends its sincerest condolences to the families of the deceased, while at the same time expressing its condemnation and denunciation of the repeated attacks on the lives and properties of our citizens in Malian territory. On this occasion, it wishes to clarify the following to the public:
– The necessity for all citizens to adhere to the instructions of the administrative and diplomatic authorities regarding travel within Malian territory and movement outside the country;

Official data, as stated in the National Army’s statement, which placed the incident in its context and geographical data, confirm that the incident occurred within Malian territory;
– In this context, the ministry recalls that it issued a circular to the administrative authorities prohibiting grazing within Malian territory, and directed them to launch extensive awareness campaigns to urge herders not to go to unsafe areas, to protect their lives and property;
– The ministry draws attention to the fact that village vigilance committees have been established and activated in the border areas as part of the sector’s efforts to enhance security and improve monitoring and coordination mechanisms in the border areas, as these committees serve as a link between the local population, administrative authorities, and security services. These committees have been provided with smartphones and call credits, enabling them to perform their tasks in the best possible manner.

– The ministry confirms that the condition of pastures in our country this year is good, thank God, and the government has begun implementing a wide program to drill wells in grazing areas, aiming to provide water and prevent citizens from having to move;
In this context, the ministry calls on political parties and all active forces from civil society, journalists, bloggers, and opinion makers, to focus on raising citizens’ awareness and sensitizing them about everything related to the public interest, particularly protecting their security and property, and avoiding trespassing on financial lands during the current period, instead of exploiting the incident for immediate political purposes.
This morning, Monday, March 23, the Ministry of Interior, Decentralization, and Local Development summoned the head of the National Rally for Reform and Development Party (“Tawassoul”) and warned him that one of the responsibilities of political parties is to mobilize citizens to adhere to the directives of administrative authorities along the border strip, instead of using the situation for political purposes.

And God grants success.