AGP Executive Report

Tiris Uranium: Aura Energy’s feasibility study puts the Mauritanian project on a path to a December investment decision, with first production targeted for 2028. The proposed 26-year mine has estimated development costs of US$350 million, but Aura has yet to secure funding and says its cash covers about two quarters of spending. Sahara Diplomacy: The UN Fourth Committee adopted its annual resolution by 152 votes to two, with seven abstentions. It references Security Council Resolution 2797 and calls on Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario to engage in talks, while keeping the territory on the UN decolonisation agenda. Mining Investment: Africa Finance Corporation is exploring iron ore and uranium investments. It says production from Mauritania, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone could make the region one of the world’s top three iron ore producers within a decade. Regional Migration: At least 12 people died when a migrant boat sank off Gambia, with others missing. Tighter patrols off Mauritania, Morocco and Senegal have pushed departures farther south, lengthening the dangerous Atlantic crossing. Health Cooperation: China’s naval hospital ship treated more than 7,500 people and performed over 30 operations during its visit to Mauritania.

Uranium Investment: Aura Energy’s feasibility study puts Mauritania’s Tiris project at a projected $500 million post-tax value, with a December investment decision targeted and production planned for 2028. The company estimates $350 million in development costs and says it has about two quarters of cash for current spending. Government: Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay was reappointed after resigning amid power outages linked to substation fires, and has formed a new cabinet. Western Sahara: The UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee backed its annual resolution 152-2, adding a reference to Security Council Resolution 2797 while retaining a call for a settlement that allows Sahrawi self-determination. Migration: At least 12 people died when a migrant boat sank off Gambia, with others missing. Tighter patrols off Mauritania, Morocco and Senegal are pushing departures farther south along the dangerous Atlantic route. Mining Prospects: The Africa Finance Corporation is seeking iron-ore and uranium investments, naming Mauritania among four countries with potential to become a leading iron-ore producer.

Energy and Investment: Aura Energy says its Tiris uranium project in Mauritania has completed a bankable feasibility study, with a final investment decision targeted for December. Government: Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay was reappointed after his government resigned amid power outages linked to substation fires. Diplomacy: Mauritania’s economy minister met representatives of the IMF and World Bank, while the energy minister held talks with France’s ambassador. Sahara Talks: The UN’s Fourth Committee backed a resolution with 152 votes in favor, two against and seven abstentions; envoy Staffan de Mistura has warned that negotiations remain deadlocked and urged clarity on the next phase. Football: Mauritanian federation chief Ahmed Yahya backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino after his apology over a scrapped commercial plan, as English and German officials called for answers and reform. Regional Economy: The IMF raised its 2026 sub-Saharan Africa growth forecast to 4.5%; its Africa director, former Mauritanian prime minister Zeine Zeidane, cautioned that per-capita growth remains weak.

Energy and Investment: Mauritania is pitching its gas potential at an energy conference in Paris, with the energy minister highlighting offshore prospects and the BirAllah field, estimated to hold 60 trillion cubic feet of gas. Government: Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay was reappointed after his government resigned amid power outages linked to Nouakchott substation fires; President Ghazouani has ordered action on inquiry recommendations. Officials say an inclusive national dialogue remains a priority. Sahara Talks: UN envoy Staffan de Mistura says negotiations are deadlocked and has urged the Security Council to clarify Resolution 2797. He called for autonomy to anchor talks, alongside meaningful self-determination and international guarantees. Mauritania took part as an observer. Border Security: Reports allege at least 34 civilians were killed in military operations along the Mali–Mauritania border between 2023 and 2025, raising fresh concerns about civilian protection and accountability. Trade and Football: Mauritania and Brazil discussed expanding fisheries cooperation after barriers to Mauritanian fish exports were removed. Football federation chief Ahmed Yahya is also among names reported as potential successors to CAF president Patrice Motsepe.

Flight Restrictions: Mauritanian nationals are among those reportedly barred from airline crew duties on flights to and from Israel under tightened rules adopted by airlines including United and Air France. Human Rights: Mauritania reaffirmed its commitment to the African Charter at a commission meeting in Dakar, stressing the need to balance security with fundamental freedoms. Western Sahara: Algeria again called for a settlement based on Sahrawi self-determination at the UN; Mauritania is participating as an observer in renewed talks involving the parties. Government: Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay was reappointed after resigning with his government amid power outages linked to Nouakchott substation fires, and has been tasked with forming a new cabinet. Border Security: Rights groups report that at least 34 civilians were killed in alleged abuses during operations along the Mali-Mauritania border between 2023 and 2025.

Aviation Restrictions: Israel’s new rules barring some foreign airline crew from flights to its airspace include Mauritanian nationals. Air France and United are adjusting crew rosters; the restrictions do not apply to passengers. Migration: IOM says West African arrivals to Europe fell 59% in the first half of 2026, but tighter controls in Mauritania, Morocco and Senegal are pushing departures onto longer, deadlier routes. African Football: Mauritania’s football federation chief Ahmed Yahya reportedly opposed restoring the Africa Cup of Nations to a two-year cycle, as CAF faces wider debate over the tournament’s schedule and leadership. Government: Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay was reappointed after resigning with his government amid power outages linked to fires at a Nouakchott substation. President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has ordered full implementation of an inquiry commission’s recommendations. Sahara Diplomacy: Mauritania’s UN envoy met with UN envoy Staffan de Mistura after Security Council talks on Western Sahara, as negotiations involving Mauritania and other parties remain in focus.

Government: Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay was reappointed to form a new government after his cabinet resigned amid power outages linked to fires at a Nouakchott substation. President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has ordered full implementation of an inquiry commission’s recommendations. CAF: Mauritanian Football Federation chief Ahmed Ould Yahya reportedly opposed a return to biennial Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, as CAF president Patrice Motsepe faces growing pressure over the competition’s format. Western Sahara: Morocco defended its autonomy plan at the UN as the basis for negotiations, with Mauritania among the parties urged to take part. Liberia also backed the proposal, while Mauritania reaffirmed its commitment to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights at a commission session in Dakar. Sahel Crisis: The World Food Programme warns that 10.5 million people across Mauritania and four other Sahel countries face hunger this year, including more than a million near starvation; displacement has risen sharply since 2019. Air Travel: Israel’s new crew restrictions affect Mauritanian pilots and cabin crew on flights to and from Israel, including dual nationals; passengers are not subject to the measure.

Aviation: Mauritanian pilots and cabin crew are among those barred from serving on flights to or from Israel under new nationality rules. The restriction applies to crew, including dual nationals, not passengers. Government: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani approved a 29-member cabinet led again by Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay after the government resigned amid scrutiny of Nouakchott’s substation fires. The president has ordered the inquiry’s recommendations implemented, including repairs and accountability measures. Western Sahara: Mauritania’s UN ambassador met envoy Staffan de Mistura after Security Council talks on MINURSO, whose mandate expires October 31. The discussions involve Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria and Mauritania. Football: Mauritanian federation chief Ahmed Yahya reportedly opposes holding the Africa Cup of Nations every two years, as CAF considers the tournament’s future schedule.

Aviation: New Israeli rules bar airline crew who hold Mauritanian citizenship, including dual nationals, from flights to and from Israel; the measure does not restrict passengers. Government: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani approved a 29-member cabinet led again by El Moctar Ould Djay, with new ministers for defence, interior, finance and energy. The reshuffle followed the prime minister’s resignation after an inquiry into Nouakchott substation fires. Power: The president ordered the inquiry’s recommendations implemented, including repairs, preventive measures and possible sanctions for officials whose negligence contributed to the outages. Sahara: Mauritania’s UN envoy met Staffan de Mistura after Security Council talks on the disputed territory and MINURSO’s mandate, which expires on October 31. Education: Morocco’s EMSI engineering school opened a Nouakchott campus focused on skills including AI and engineering. Sport: Mauritania lost 3-2 to Ivory Coast in the first leg of beach soccer’s final qualifying round. Separately, Mauritanian football federation president Ahmed Yahya reportedly opposes holding AFCON every two years. Travel: Mauritania is among 14 African countries whose nationals face partial US visa restrictions.

US Visa Restrictions: Mauritania is among 14 African countries facing partial US visa suspensions covering visitor, student, exchange and immigrant visas under a policy that took effect in January. Air Travel: Mauritanian nationals, including dual citizens, are also on a list of nationalities barred from working as crew on flights to and from Israel under new security rules. New Government: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has approved a 29-member cabinet led again by Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay, who resigned after an inquiry into Nouakchott’s substation fires. The probe cited faulty connectors and serious oversight failures; the president ordered its recommendations implemented. Education: A Moroccan engineering school has opened a Nouakchott campus aimed at training young people in engineering, digital technology and artificial intelligence. Sahara Talks: Mauritania’s UN envoy met with UN envoy Staffan de Mistura after Security Council discussions on the Western Sahara dispute.

New Government: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has approved a 29-member cabinet led by reappointed Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay. Several posts changed, including defence, interior, finance and energy; priorities include social protection, jobs for young people and regional development. Power Outages: After an inquiry linked August’s Nouakchott substation fires to faulty electrical connectors and serious oversight failures, the president ordered the report published, accountability measures pursued and damaged facilities repaired. Sahara Diplomacy: Mauritania’s UN envoy met Staffan de Mistura after Security Council talks on the dispute and the future of the MINURSO mission. Higher Education: Morocco’s EMSI engineering school opened a Nouakchott campus, which officials say will train students in engineering, digital technology and artificial intelligence.

New Government: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has appointed a 29-member cabinet proposed by Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay, who was reappointed after his government resigned. Changes include new ministers for defence, interior, energy and economic affairs, while the foreign affairs, justice and finance ministers remain in post. The government is tasked with continuing the president’s programme, including social protection, youth jobs and development beyond the capital. Power-Failure Fallout: The resignation followed an inquiry into August fires at electricity substations that left Nouakchott and nearby towns without power for up to five days. Investigators cited serious failures in prevention, safety, oversight and emergency response, and pointed to faulty connectors and overheating; they found no evidence of sabotage.

Government: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani reappointed El Moctar Ould Djay after his cabinet resigned amid fallout from August’s power outages. The inquiry blamed substandard electrical connectors and serious failures in prevention, oversight and emergency response, but found no evidence of sabotage. Ould Djay is preparing a new team, with social protection, youth employment and local development among its priorities. Economy and Energy: The IMF approved $86.9 million in financing for Mauritania, while Mauritania and Shell signed an exploration and production-sharing agreement. Agriculture: UAE-based Elite Agro announced investments across Mauritania, Morocco and the UAE as part of a wider 9,300-hectare expansion. Football: Mauritania’s U-23 side was eliminated by DR Congo in African qualifying.

Government Shake-up: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani reappointed Mokhtar Ould Djay prime minister hours after accepting his government’s resignation. The move followed an inquiry into August’s power outages, which found serious failures in prevention, safety checks and emergency response at two Nouakchott substations. Investigators traced the fires to overheating linked to non-standard electrical connectors and held a private company and Energy Ministry officials responsible, while ruling out sabotage. Economic Support: The IMF approved $86.9 million in financing for Mauritania, offering support as the government prepares its next steps. Energy Investment: Mauritania and Shell signed an agreement to expand 3D seismic surveys in coastal waters, as the country seeks to attract investment in potential offshore hydrocarbon resources.

Government: Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay and his government resigned after an inquiry found serious failures in preventing and managing August’s substation fires, which caused days of power cuts in Nouakchott and nearby towns. Investigators cited overheating on newly installed power lines and found no evidence of sabotage. Agriculture: UAE-backed Elite Agro plans to invest $120 million in an 8,900-hectare project in Mauritania, targeting about 244,000 tonnes of produce for local markets and regional exports. Economy: The IMF approved $86.9 million in financing for Mauritania under its Extended Credit Facility. Regional Security: A report cited allegations that Ukrainian instructors and equipment are supporting Tuareg separatists in northern Mali near the Mauritanian border; the claims remain unverified.

Power Failures: Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay says the government will fully implement recommendations from an inquiry into fires at two Nouakchott electrical substations. The report found technical and contractual failures; power was restored after the August blazes. Security Cooperation: Mauritania’s foreign and defense ministers met NATO’s Southern Neighbourhood representative in Nouakchott to discuss stronger ties. Energy and Investment: Mauritania signed an exploration and production-sharing deal with Shell for offshore Block C2, enabling expanded 3D seismic surveys. An Emirati-led partnership also plans a $120 million, 8,900-hectare farm project at Aftout/Rosso. Football: Mauritania’s U-23 side was eliminated from the 2027 AFCON qualifiers after DR Congo overturned a first-leg loss to win 2-1 on aggregate. FIFA says it has helped develop training facilities and academies in Mauritania. Climate and Connectivity: Mauritania is among nine countries covered by a new $78 million Great Green Wall programme targeting land restoration and livelihoods. It is also part of a six-country trans-Saharan fiber link designed to expand regional internet capacity.