Ambassadors from various European Union countries visit the GARSI project in Mauritania

Due to its location at the crossroads between the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa, Mauritania occupies a strategic position that exposes it to various security threats, particularly terrorism. The country’s vast desert expanses and porous borders, especially the 800 km marked by the Senegal River and the border with Mali, facilitate illicit activities and uncontrolled cross-border movements.

One of the European projects managed by FIAP in Mauritania is GARSI, now in its third phase, which aims to combat terrorism and organized crime in the Sahel region, enabling the state to strengthen its response to serious crimes, which are becoming increasingly prevalent in the area.

In this context, several European ambassadors to Mauritania have carried out a mission in the south of the country. The ambassadors of the European Union (EU) itself, Joaquín Tasso Vilallonga; Spain, Pablo Barbará Gómez; France, Emmanuel Besnier; and Germany, Florian Reindel, have reviewed the work of various projects undertaken by their respective countries in the bilateral sphere with Mauritania, as well as the GARSI.

They visited the river detachment of Mauritania’s GARSI unit in Rosso. The detachment is responsible for carrying out actions related to public safety on the Senegal River, such as the prevention of criminal acts such as cattle theft and drug trafficking, as well as surveillance to prevent illegal immigration, with various patrols along the river and fixed checkpoints at major crossings and roads.

The existence of more than 850 km of river along the border with Senegal and Mali means there are countless crossing points that are difficult to control. Added to this is the daily movement of people between Mauritania and Senegal to buy products or engage in commercial activity, returning to their country of origin on the same day.

At the dock/pier of the Mauritanian Navy in Rosso, a practical demonstration of river maneuvers was carried out in the presence of the ambassadors, with three objectives: to present the GARSI’s nautical training; to demonstrate, under controlled real conditions, its river capabilities; and to highlight a professional, disciplined, and trained unit that acts with respect for the rights of citizens.

The demonstration was organized in three acts. In the first, the Unit carried out an administrative/routine intervention, boarding a civilian vessel under normal conditions. In the second act, a suspicious vessel was intercepted and thoroughly searched. Thirdly, the GARSI unit intercepted a terrorist vessel and made arrests.

The Ambassadors’ visit ended with a small formal ceremony, where both the EU and the Mauritanian National Gendarmerie emphasized the importance of the GARSI unit’s river component and the importance of the unit itself in ensuring security in the region.