Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has made it a priority to engage with the country's diaspora, with a focus on harnessing their potential to contribute to the nation's development. The upcoming diaspora forum, scheduled for October 29-31, is a key part of this effort. The event aims to bring together representatives of Mauritanian communities abroad to discuss ways to enhance their role in the country's growth.
The Mauritanian government has been working to improve its services for citizens abroad, with significant progress in recent years. The establishment of a dedicated ministry for Mauritanians abroad has provided a more stable and focused approach to addressing their needs. This move has been welcomed by the diaspora community, which numbers around 10% of the country's total population.
One of the notable achievements of the current administration is the regularization of dual citizenship, allowing Mauritanians to hold citizenship in other countries without fear of losing their nationality. This change has been seen as a significant step forward in engaging with the diaspora and encouraging their participation in the country's development.
The government has also made significant strides in digitizing its services, including the introduction of an online platform for obtaining civil documents, known as "Houwiyati". This platform has streamlined the process and reduced the time and cost associated with obtaining essential documents, earning praise from both Mauritanian citizens abroad and international observers.
In addition to these developments, the government has demonstrated its commitment to protecting Mauritanian citizens in conflict zones. The administration has shown a "wise vigilance" in responding quickly to the needs of citizens in areas affected by conflict, providing assistance and evacuation when necessary.
The diaspora forum is expected to provide a platform for discussing ways to further enhance the role of Mauritanian communities abroad. Some of the proposed outcomes include increasing the number of representatives for the diaspora in the National Assembly, establishing a national observatory for the diaspora, and reviewing the national census to ensure that all Mauritanian citizens abroad are accounted for.
The forum will also explore ways to facilitate the participation of Mauritanian citizens abroad in the country's development, including through education and employment opportunities. One proposal is to establish a distance learning program at the University of Nouakchott, allowing diaspora members to pursue higher education remotely.
Key points
- The Mauritanian government is set to host its first diaspora forum, aiming to strengthen ties with its citizens abroad and leverage their expertise.
- The government has made significant progress in recent years in improving its services for citizens abroad, including the regularization of dual citizenship and digitization of services.
- The diaspora forum will discuss ways to enhance the role of Mauritanian communities abroad, including increasing representation in the National Assembly and establishing a national observatory for the diaspora.
