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Mauritania has expressed “deep concern” following a series of violent incidents on the Malian side of their shared border that resulted in the deaths of several Mauritanian citizens.
In a statement released on Saturday, March 28, 2026, the Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks in the strongest possible terms, identifying at least five victims and emphasising that the safety of its nationals is a “red line.”
Government sources previously indicated that the victims were targeted in an area approximately 70 kilometres inside Malian territory.
Nouakchott has called on the Malian authorities to launch an immediate, transparent investigation to identify those responsible for these “unacceptable acts.”
This latest friction follows a pattern of cross-border violence that Mauritania claims has targeted its citizens for nearly four years.
While the Malian government has yet to issue an official response to these specific allegations, the region has been under intense pressure due to an ongoing security crisis involving jihadist groups and military counter-operations.
As tensions rise, the Mauritanian government warned that it reserves the right to take appropriate measures under international law to protect its people.
The border area remains a volatile zone, influenced by the broader instability in the Sahel and frequent clashes between state forces and insurgent groups.
Mauritania urged its neighbour to implement concrete measures to secure the frontier and prevent further civilian casualties.
