A group of farmers in Mauritania's Dar al-Baraka region, located in the Brakna province, have called on President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani to intervene urgently to protect their land rights. The farmers claim that their ancestral agricultural land is being expropriated through fraudulent means and sold to foreign entities. In an open letter, the farmers, represented by lawyer Moukhtar Ould Ahel, Ismail Ould Ibrahim, and Imbarak Ould Aamer, urged the President to take immediate action to prevent the land grab.
The disputed land has been in the possession of the farmers for over a century, with documents and reports dating back to the French colonial era confirming their ownership. The farmers have continuously cultivated and inhabited the land, which also holds ancestral significance. However, they recently discovered that a person named Moulay Mbeng Jidou had obtained documents granting him ownership of the land without following the necessary legal procedures.
The farmers reported that Jidou initially attempted to sell the land to a local citizen, who withdrew from the deal upon learning that it was private property. Jidou then sold the land to a foreign company for a substantial sum of nearly 2 billion ouguiya. This transaction led to the destruction of trees and desecration of graves, sparking widespread concern. The farmers have since sought judicial intervention, with the courts issuing final rulings in their favor.
The courts have ruled that the land is a collective, traditional private property and does not fall under the state's public domain, governed by Law 127/83. A investigative committee, led by the Inspector General of Justice, was established and concluded that the documents presented by Jidou were forged. The committee recommended that the documents be nullified and that those involved, including administrative officials, face justice.
The farmers expressed disappointment that some administrative officials have refused to comply with the court's rulings and are attempting to enable the foreign entity to gain control of the land. This situation is particularly sensitive given the region's border location. The farmers also referenced a speech by President Ghazouani in which he emphasized that land belongs to the state and that only specific, legally defined procedures can be used to acquire it.
In his speech, President Ghazouani explicitly stated that not a single plot of land cultivated by citizens would be expropriated. The farmers criticized the government's decision to provide security protection to the foreign entity within their private land, which they argue is not under the state's jurisdiction. They urged the President to take decisive action to halt the land grab and ensure that the rulings of the investigative committee and the courts are enforced.
The farmers' demand for intervention is aimed at protecting the rights of local populations and the country's national security. They stress that urgent action is necessary to prevent further exploitation and to safeguard their ancestral land. The situation remains tense as the farmers await a response from President Ghazouani.
Key points
- The farmers are demanding that President Ghazouani enforce the recommendations of the investigative committee and the court rulings to protect their land rights.
