On September 18, 2026, Biram Dah Abeid, president of the Mauritanian abolitionist movement IRA-Mauritanie and deputy, met with Leonardo Santos Simão, the UN Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), in Nouakchott. The meeting, attended by several leaders of the Coalition for Democratic Alternation (CAD), focused on major political, social, and legal issues in Mauritania.
The discussions covered the upcoming national inclusive dialogue, public freedoms, the situation of opinion prisoners, civil status, and the fight against slavery and human rights abuses. The management of refugee flows, particularly from Mali, combating corruption, and transnational crime were also addressed. This meeting is part of Simão's official good offices mission in Mauritania from September 14 to 19, 2026, aimed at supporting stability, dialogue, and social cohesion in the Sahel region.
According to an official UNOWAS statement, Simão completed his mission in Mauritania, which was conducted under his good offices mandate and the UN's efforts for peace, stability, and dialogue in the sub-region. During his visit, Simão held talks with Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, the National Dialogue Coordinator, and representatives of the majority and opposition.
Simão also engaged with the diplomatic corps accredited in Mauritania and met with the UN Country Team to strengthen coordination and understanding of the country's priorities and regional challenges. He discussed political and security developments in Mauritania and the sub-region, particularly the evolving situation in the Sahel and its implications for security, stability, and regional cooperation.
The UN Special Representative praised Mauritania's efforts to preserve stability in a challenging regional environment and emphasized the importance of dialogue, conflict prevention, and regional cooperation. He reiterated the UN's commitment to supporting national processes aimed at strengthening cohesion and dialogue. Simão's mission also took him to the Hodh El Chargui region, where he visited Néma, Bassiknou, and the Mbera refugee camp.
In the Hodh El Chargui region, Simão met with local authorities, refugees, host communities, and humanitarian and development actors. The visit highlighted efforts in resilience, livelihoods, education, economic inclusion, and access to energy. He commended Mauritania for hosting Malian refugees and stressed the need to support both refugee populations and host communities.
Simão concluded his mission by reaffirming the UN's commitment to strengthening its partnership with Mauritania on peace, security, dialogue, development, and resilience, and to promoting regional cooperation and stability in West Africa and the Sahel.
Key points
- The meeting between Biram Dah Abeid and Leonardo Santos Simão focused on national dialogue, public freedoms, and human rights in Mauritania.
- Simão's mission aimed to support stability, dialogue, and social cohesion in the Sahel region.
- The UN Special Representative praised Mauritania's efforts to preserve stability and emphasized the importance of dialogue and regional cooperation.
