On the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Mauritania and Russia signed two agreements on October 28, 2026, to enhance judicial cooperation between the two countries. The agreements were signed by Mauritanian Minister of Justice Mohamed Ould Asweidat and his Russian counterpart. The first agreement allows for the extradition of individuals wanted by the law, while the second enables convicted persons to serve their sentences in their countries of origin.
The agreements aim to strengthen cooperation between Mauritania and Russia in the field of justice. According to local media reports, the agreements will facilitate the transfer of convicted Mauritanian nationals in Russia to serve their sentences in Mauritania, and vice versa. The details of the agreements have not been fully disclosed. The signing of the agreements took place in the presence of high-ranking officials from both countries.
Following the signing ceremony, the two ministers held a working session to discuss ways to enhance judicial cooperation in civil matters and develop institutional relations between their ministries. They also agreed to exchange expertise and experiences in the field of justice. The Mauritanian Minister of Justice also met with his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo to discuss prospects for coordination and exchange of experiences in the legal and judicial fields.
Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani is participating in the Russia-Africa Summit at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The summit aims to strengthen cooperation between Russia and African countries in various fields. President Ghazouani arrived in Moscow on October 27, 2026, and delivered a speech at the plenary session of the Russian-African Economic and Humanitarian Forum.
On the sidelines of the summit, the Mauritanian President also attended a dinner hosted by President Putin in his honor. The two leaders are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on October 29, 2026, to discuss issues of mutual interest. The meeting is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation between Mauritania and Russia in various fields, including politics, economy, and security.
The agreements signed between Mauritania and Russia are seen as a significant step towards enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the field of justice. The extradition agreement will facilitate the prosecution of individuals wanted by the law, while the prisoner transfer agreement will enable convicted persons to serve their sentences in their countries of origin. The agreements are expected to contribute to the strengthening of the rule of law and the promotion of justice in both countries.
The visit of President Ghazouani to Russia is seen as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Mauritania and Russia in various fields. The two countries have been working to enhance their relations in recent years, with a focus on promoting economic cooperation and security. The Russia-Africa Summit provides a platform for African countries to engage with Russia and explore opportunities for cooperation and partnership.
Key points
- Mauritania and Russia have signed two agreements on judicial cooperation in criminal matters, including extradition and prisoner transfer.
- The agreements aim to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the field of justice and promote the rule of law.
- The agreements were signed on the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, which aims to strengthen cooperation between Russia and African countries.
