The U.S. Ambassador to Mauritania, Michael J. Dodman, has praised the strong partnership between the United States and Mauritania, which has enabled to make important progress towards the two countries\u2019 common goals of advancing security, prosperity and justice for the citizens of both their countries.
\nIn a speech he made on the occasion of the United States\u2019 National Day, Mr. Dodman congratulated both President Mohamed Ould Cheikh EL GHAZOUANI and the Mauritanian people for the success of last year\u2019s elections and the peaceful transfer of power.
\nHere is the full text of the speech:
\n\u201cEvery year on July 4th, Americans celebrate the independence of our country. Because of the health situation I am not hosting a traditional reception. While I miss having the chance to see many friends and colleagues, I am grateful that this year my message can be shared with a much larger audience throughout Mauritania. (Thank you to Mauritanian news agency (AMI) for providing a platform to make these remarks.)
\nThis year we celebrate not only the 244th anniversary of American independence, but the 60th anniversary of Mauritania\u2019s independence. And that means we will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of the strong partnership between our two nations. I am proud to recall that the United States was the very first country to recognize Mauritania\u2019s independence. The partnership that President Eisenhower, and then President Kennedy, built with President Moktar OuldDaddah continues today.
\nWe have just passed the one-year anniversary of the historic election that brought President Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazouani to power. Let me restate my congratulations to both President Ghazouani and the Mauritanian people for the success of last year\u2019s elections and the peaceful transfer of power. The United States salutes those democratic milestones and the powerful example Mauritania gave to other countries in the region.
\nIt has been my great pleasure to work closely with President Ghazouani\u2019s government for the past year. Together we have made important progress towards our common goals of advancing security, prosperity and justice for the citizens of both our countries.
\nPerhaps the most visible sign of our partnership was the very successful Flintlock exercise we jointly organized in February. For two weeks 1500 soldiers from 30 countries worked side-by-side to build the skills that are needed to successful fight terrorism. Flintlock was an excellent example of our strong partnership but also of Mauritania\u2019s growing role as a leader in the region.
\nWe congratulate President Ghazouani on his leadership of the G5 Sahel as we saw in the summit just this week. The United States continues to strongly support the G5 and the work of the G5 Sahel Joint Force.
\nThe G5 recognizes that lasting security requires more than just military efforts. It requires economic development to address the poverty and food insecurity that impact too many in the Sahel. It requires access to justice and full respect for human rights. These issues were at the core of President Ghazouani\u2019s election campaign. They are foundations of his government\u2019s agenda. And they are likewise at the heart of the growing partnership between the United States and Mauritania.
\nThe events that we witnessed in my country last month \u2013 the tragic death at the hands of the police of George Floyd and the protests that followed \u2013 are a reminder that the United States continues to struggle with the vestiges of slavery. A reminder that racism and discrimination continue to touch too many Americans, despite the progress we have made in the last 50 years. But out of those events, my country is now engaged in a very active debate about new measures to address the troubling legacies stemming from slavery in America. And that is very encouraging.
\nMauritanians can appreciate the debate underway in my country since you are engaged in a parallel process. The efforts underway to reinforce national unity, to increase access to justice, to improve education, and to create greater economic opportunities are all essential to address Mauritania\u2019s legacy of slavery and discrimination.
\nLast month my government issued its annual report on trafficking in persons. I am very pleased that this report, like the annual report on human rights earlier this year, recognized and applauded the increased efforts of the Mauritanian government to protect human rights. Many challenges remain in your country, just as they do in mine. Candid and peaceful debate of these issues is the best way for both our countries to move forward. The United States will continue to support and encourage Mauritania\u2019s efforts to promote respect, inclusion, justice and opportunity for all its citizens.
\nLet me take a moment to address the issue that is forcing us to celebrate this July 4th virtually. The COVID crisis is having a huge impact on both our countries. On this American Independence Day, I\u2019m happy to recall that the United States has a long and proud history of supporting public health around the world, and particularly in Africa. For instance, here in Mauritania, many of the epidemiologists who are so vital to the COVID testing effort were trained by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. I was very pleased to be able to provide the Minister of Health last week with high quality testing material to support the government\u2019s response.
\nAnd because the United States is a country marked by its dynamic businesses and civil society, remember that American support for public health means much more than just government assistance. For example, the Gates Foundation is very active in supporting efforts in Mauritania and elsewhere in Africa to improve COVID response capabilities.
\nFriends, the United States and Mauritania, while separated by an ocean, share so much. Over the last 12 months, this sixty-year old partnership has become stronger, deeper, and more important for both countries. I remain extremely optimistic about Mauritania\u2019s future. My wife, Joan, and I are thrilled to able to serve here and to work together with all of you to realize the full potential of our partnership.
\nThank you for joining us to celebrate the fourth of July. Thank you for your friendship and hospitality. Long live the Mauritanian-American partnership!”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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