President of Republic Receives US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs

On 17 October, in Nouakchott, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, the President of the Republic, received Ms. Victoria Nuland, the US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs.
The talks touched on bilateral cooperation relations and ways to enhance them to serve the common interests of the two friendly countries, in addition to issues of common interest.
Shortly after the meeting, the US Official made a statement to the Mauritanian news agency in which she expressed her joy at being in Mauritania, the first stage of her visit to the Sahel, and her gratitude for the warm welcome and sincere consideration she and her delegation received in Mauritania.
Ms. Nuland noted that the United States and Mauritania enjoy a long partnership, indicating that next month will mark exactly 62 years since the United States was the first country to recognize Mauritania’s independence. She stressed that this is a “relationship that continues to be built on trust, shared interests, and common goals.”
The US Undersecretary of State emphasized that “Mauritania has become an oasis of stability in the Sahel,” saying that “the United States welcomes Mauritania’s role in combating terrorist activities and preventing ‘violent extremism’.
She added, “Because of Mauritania’s critical role in strengthening regional security in the Sahel, the United States appreciates its leadership, particularly as host nation of the G-5 Sahel Executive Secretariat and Defense College”, assuring that his country is delighted to continue its cooperation with Mauritania in the area of security.
Ms. Nuland thanked the people of Mauritania for their hospitality to more than 80,000 Malian refugees who had to flee violence and persecution, indicating that the United States will continue to allocate resources to help these populations and other vulnerable and displaced around the world.
The US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs revealed that she had “a frank and productive discussion with the President of the Republic about the work that the two parties are doing together on these and other issues of common interest, stating: “I am encouraged by his reform efforts, his work on improving transparency, his support for social inclusion, and his implementation of key economic reforms”.
She said she thanked the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, for the efforts made by his administration to improve social inclusion and respect for human rights.
Ms. Nuland indicated that she had also discussed with the President of the Republic the most pressing global challenges of the time: COVID-19, climatic hazards, conflicts, and their impact on food and energy insecurity, stressing that the States United will provide support to Mauritania to meet the challenge of food insecurity.
She pointed out that the United States, in addition to being the largest contributor to the World Food Program, will provide Mauritania, through its McGovern-Dole International Food for Education program, $28.5 million over five years to feed nearly 100,000 students each year from 320 primary schools in the wilayas of Brakna, Gorgol, and Tagant.
Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Undersecretary of State noted that the United States had been a strong contributor to making vaccines accessible to all, noting that it is the largest donor to the COVAX program which has provided Mauritania 1.64 million doses.
The American official also affirmed her country’s determination to help Mauritanian youth, affirming that the American projects USAID, Tamkeen, and Nafoore, which benefit from funding of 24 million dollars, will provide essential support in terms of training.
She pointed out that Mauritania had welcomed American investments in the energy sector and that they encourage American investors and companies to partner with Mauritanian companies in important sectors, such as agriculture, fisheries, and renewable energies.
Ms. Nuland said her visit to Mauritania reflects President Biden’s commitment to strengthening U.S. ties with key African partners.