Qatar, Turkey seeking to destabilize Mauritania

Doaa Emam & Asmaa El-Batakoushy

The Qatari and Turkish attempts to interfere in Mauritania through the financing of centers accused of promoting takfiri ideology and setting up charities, which are aimed at penetrating the Mauritanian society. Therefore, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz is seeking to rein in cash inflows from Doha to the National Rally for Reform and Development, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Mauritanian experts warn of a Turkish-Qatari plot to destabilize Mauritania as the African country prepares for its presidential election on June 22. Mauritania’s ambassador to the United Kingdom said that presidential candidate Sidi Mohamed Ould Boubacar is backed by the Muslim Brotherhood, citing that the Brotherhood could not name a candidate in the coming presidential elections.

Researcher Karam Saeed, an expert on Turkish affairs at Al-Ahram Center for Strategic and Political Studies, has said that Mauritania is part of the African region, which is targeted by Turkey and Qatar.

“Turkey has some political tensions with the United States and the European Union. Qatar has tensions in the region. Therefore, Doha and Ankara are seeking roles elsewhere,” Saeed told THE REFERENCE, citing Qatar and Turkey’s growing role in Africa and Latin America.

According to Saeed, Mauritania has become an emerging African country, which is considered to be a strategic gateway to the rest of the continent.

“Mauritania remains a key pillar after the overthrow of former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir. Turkey and Qatar are seeking to support the Brotherhood. However, these attempts will be weakened as the Mauritanian leadership seeks the support of Egypt and Saudi Arabia,” he said.