Mauritania's opposition party, Rassemblement National pour la Réforme et le Développement (RNRD), also known as "تواصل" or "Tawassul", has expressed concerns that the financial benefits of the country's fishing agreement with the European Union do not match the value of its marine resources. The party stated that the current agreement's financial contribution to Mauritania is limited and does not reflect the actual value of the resources being exploited.
The RNRD party made these comments in a statement on the eve of the expiration of the protocol implementing the fishing agreement between Mauritania and the European Union. The agreement, which dates back to 1987, will expire on Saturday, with no new protocol in place despite several rounds of negotiations between the two parties. The RNRD party called on the government to approach future negotiations with a sense of national responsibility.
The party urged the government not to make any concessions that would undermine the country's sovereign rights and to prioritize environmental guarantees and sustainable exploitation practices. They also emphasized the need to expand Mauritanian access to marine resources, promote local employment, and modernize the national fleet and infrastructure related to the fishing sector.
The RNRD party invited political forces, civil society organizations, experts, and researchers to engage with the issue, calling for a broad and transparent national discussion on the exploitation of national resources. They emphasized the need for the public to be informed about the facts of any agreements, their conditions, and the returns they generate for the country.
The expiration of the protocol has raised concerns about the future of Mauritania's fishing industry and its relations with the European Union. The EU has been a significant partner for Mauritania in the fishing sector, and any changes to the agreement could have implications for the country's economy and food security.
The RNRD party's statement highlights the need for Mauritania to re-evaluate its policy on exploiting marine resources and to correct the imbalances that have characterized previous agreements. The party's call for a national discussion on the issue reflects a broader desire for greater transparency and accountability in the management of the country's natural resources.
As Mauritania looks to the future of its fishing industry, the country will need to balance its economic interests with the need to protect its marine resources and ensure sustainable exploitation practices. The outcome of the negotiations with the EU will be closely watched by various stakeholders, including the fishing industry, civil society, and the general public.
Key points
- The RNRD party has criticized the EU fishing deal, citing limited financial benefits for Mauritania.
- The protocol implementing the fishing agreement between Mauritania and the EU is set to expire.
- The RNRD party has called for a national discussion on the exploitation of Mauritania's marine resources.
