/ Africa Issued on: 09/02/2023 – 08:01 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Mauritania’s Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Marzouk hold a joint interview following their talks in Nouakchott on February 8, 2023. © Russian Foreign Ministry, AFP Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday provided assistance for Mauritania in the battle versus jihadism in the Sahel, stating he appreciated the nation’s position in the Ukraine war. His Mauritanian equivalent worried his nation’s “regard for the guidelines of worldwide law”, while stating he “comprehends” Russian security issues. Lavrov’s see to Nouakchott becomes part of a more comprehensive diplomatic offensive by Russia in Africa, where the war has actually heightened tactical competitors in between excellent powers. On Tuesday, he went to Mali, where Russia has actually ended up being an essential partner of the judgment junta. There, he guaranteed to assist Sahel and Gulf of Guinea nations in the battle versus jihadism, and meant increased participation on the continent. Mauritania is a critical nation in between the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa. Jihadism has actually spread out in the Sahel nations of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger and now threatens the Gulf of Guinea further south, although Mauritania has actually not seen an attack given that 2011. The huge, primarily desert nation of 4.5 million enacted March 2022 in favour of a UN resolution getting in touch with Russia to right away stop its military operations in Ukraine. Lots of African nations stayed away or did not vote. In October, Mauritania elected a resolution versus Russia’s addition of 4 areas of Ukraine. In November it stayed away from a vote on war reparations that Russia ought to pay to Ukraine. “We have actually revealed our regard for Mauritania’s constant policy of neutrality on all axes,” Lavrov informed press reporters Wednesday. He stated, that neutrality did not avoid Mauritania from actively resolving “issues” in the area. “I am speaking about the terrorist risk in the Sahel-Saharan area”, Lavrov stated. He likewise mentioned the dispute in between Morocco and the Algerian-backed Polisario Front over the Western Sahara, which surrounds Mauritania. “We will actively support these efforts of our African buddies, based upon the concept that they have an interest in help in this work,” he included. At a joint interview, Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug mentioned “specific constants” in Mauritanian diplomacy consisting of “regard for the guidelines of worldwide law and the concepts of the United Nations Charter”. He stated “Mauritania comprehends Russia’s security issues and thinks they need to be taken into factor to consider for its essential function in security and stability in Europe and at the global level.” Lavrov was gotten by Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, the nationwide news company reported. (AFP)
Lavrov provides Russia’s assistance to Mauritania in battle versus jihadism
