On May 1, Mauritania clarified that it did not officially welcome Mohamed Al-Mukhtar, an adviser to Sudan’s RSF, following public outcry. Minister Ould Meddou confirmed his visit was personal and not sanctioned by the government. Al-Mukhtar’s attendance at religious activities sparked condemnation due to his alleged link to human rights violations in Sudan, raising calls for his expulsion and highlighting sensitive diplomatic issues in West Africa.
On May 1, the Mauritanian Government swiftly distanced itself from the controversial visit of Mohamed Al-Mukhtar, a senior adviser to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), amid public backlash. Officials emphasized that his presence in the country was on a private basis. During a press briefing in Nouakchott, El-Houssein Ould Meddou, the Minister of Culture and government spokesperson, stressed that Al-Mukhtar was not invited by the government. “The government did not invite the political adviser to the commander of Sudan’s RSF,” he acknowledged, clarifying the situation around the visit.
Al-Mukhtar apparently participated in religious activities connected to the Qadiriyya Sufi order while in Mauritania. He attended a significant religious ceremony last Friday in the village of Nimjatt, located in the western Trarza region. However, this participation sparked outrage across Mauritania, as many connected it back to atrocities associated with the Sudan conflict.
The backlash is largely tied to Al-Mukhtar’s position in the RSF, an armed group known for serious human rights abuses, including genocide against civilians in Sudan. His seemingly unchallenged presence raised troubling questions within Mauritania. Social media has seen widespread condemnation, with civil society and political commentators urging the government to take a tougher stance.
Moreover, calls have emerged for Al-Mukhtar’s expulsion, as people demand accountability given Sudan’s severe humanitarian troubles. Critics have voiced concerns that allowing him to visit may undermine Mauritania’s moral standing.
By distancing itself from this incident, the Mauritanian Government is trying to mitigate potential damage to its reputation while maintaining its purported neutrality concerning Sudan’s ongoing turmoil. This incident brings to light the fraught connections among religion, diplomacy, and justice in West Africa, highlighting the delicate balance needed in the region’s security dynamics.
The Mauritanian government has made it clear that it did not officially host Mohamed Al-Mukhtar amid public uproar regarding his involvement with Sudan’s RSF. The minister’s statements aimed to disassociate from the situation while trying to maintain a neutral stance on Sudan’s ongoing conflict. However, the incident raises broader questions about the intersection of faith and politics, making the realm of diplomatic relations in West Africa even more complex.
Original Source: northafricapost.com
