NATO, Mauritania Strengthen Partnership Amid Growing Sahel Security Challenges

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania, 8 October 2026 — NATO and Mauritania have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on regional security during a visit by Javier Colomina, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood.

During his official visit, Colomina met Mauritania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ould Merzoug; Defence Minister Ould Sidi; Deputy Chief of Defence Major General Mohamed Cheikh Beidda; and other senior military officials. He also held discussions with Allied ambassadors.

The visit marked Colomina’s second trip to Mauritania and built on the longstanding partnership between the country and the Alliance. The engagement followed Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani’s visit to NATO Headquarters in March 2026.

Discussions focused on NATO-Mauritania relations and worsening security challenges across the Sahel, a region facing persistent instability.

Colomina emphasised Mauritania’s strategic importance as NATO’s only partner in the Sahel, highlighting its role in supporting regional stability and security.

He also welcomed expanding practical cooperation under NATO’s Defence Capability Building package, adopted at the 2022 Madrid Summit, and the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme, adopted in early 2026.

The growing partnership forms part of NATO’s Southern Neighbourhood Action Plan, endorsed at the 2024 Washington Summit, which seeks to strengthen engagement with partners across the region.

The visit underscored NATO and Mauritania’s shared interest in addressing emerging security challenges through sustained dialogue and practical cooperation.