Algeria and Mauritania have deepened their military alliance with the signing of two landmark defence agreements, signalling a unified front against escalating security threats in the Sahel and North Africa.
On 16 April 2025, in the Algerian capital, Mauritania’s Minister of Defence, Hanena Ould Sidi, and General Saïd Chengriha, Chief of Staff of the Algerian People’s National Army, formalised two critical accords.
The first agreement establishes a broad framework for defence cooperation, while the second focuses on the protection of classified information.
Both deals aim to enhance coordination between the two nations, particularly in intelligence sharing, military training, and border security.
General Chengriha highlighted the urgency of the moment, stating: “The security, economic and geopolitical challenges facing our region today require, more than ever, a strengthening of joint action.”
His Mauritanian counterpart echoed the sentiment, praising “the depth of the bonds of fraternity and good neighbourliness between our two brotherly peoples, as well as Algeria’s leading role in strengthening regional security.”
The partnership reflects a broader convergence between Algiers and Nouakchott, built over several years of diplomatic alignment.
The two countries face common threats—ranging from terrorism and smuggling to geopolitical instability—that continue to destabilise the Sahel.
Beyond the military sphere, Algeria and Mauritania have stepped up cooperation across multiple sectors.
In the past five years, they have initiated several major joint infrastructure projects, including a cross-border highway, a modernised border post, and the development of a dynamic free trade zone.
These initiatives aim to foster economic integration and facilitate the free movement of goods and people.
The new defence pacts are a powerful testament to the commitment of both nations to regional stability.
Grounded in mutual trust and shared strategic priorities, the agreements position Algeria and Mauritania as key pillars in the collective effort to ensure peace and security in a region long plagued by conflict and fragmentation.
Source: afrik
