Africa: Mauritania rejects reception of French soldiers leaving Niger
In an interview, the President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, said that his country did not need the French soldiers who had left Niger.
«Mauritania does not seem to me, either strategically or geographically, to be the best country to host soldiers dedicated to the fight against terrorism in the Sahel. In the fight against terrorism, it makes more sense for dedicated forces to be deployed in a country that is more central or closer to the field of operations» said the President, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.
«Mauritania has not suffered an attack on its soil since 2011 and probably has less need of the assistance of a multinational force»he added during his interview.
For President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, there has not been a single terrorist attack on his territory since 2011. He therefore maintains that his country’s geographical location makes the presence of French forces irrelevant. Against all expectations, he threw a stone in France’s garden in view of its policy on the continent.
«Africa expects too much from France» said the Mauritanian President, explaining that misunderstandings had accumulated between Paris and its partners on the continent. This is combined with the dissatisfaction of African populations with their own leaders, which makes France’s situation in Africa delicate, he said.
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