U.S. Peace Corps Pulls Out of Mauritania

By Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania – The Peace Corps has withdrawn its workers from Mauritania due to fears over security after recent attacks.

The Peace Corps, which has operated in Mauritania for over 40 years, announced that it has moved its volunteers out of Mauritania and into the nearby training center in Senegal.  The exact amount of people who will be moved is unknown, but the statement issued by the Peace Corps said there were roughly 141 volunteers in Mauritania, mainly in rural areas.

_46178437_mauritania_226x170 “Although it is the agency’s position that the volunteers are relatively safe in their communities and villages, it is potentially dangerous for them to travel safely in the country,” said the statement issued August 12th.

The U.S. government-backed group said on its website that the volunteer program in Mauritania would remain suspended until the security conditions improve, if at all.

On June 23, an American was shot dead in the Mauritanian’s capital city during an attack claimed by an al-Qaeda affiliate group.  Subsequently, on August 8th, a suicide bomber killed himself by setting off a bomb aimed at two French gendarmes from the French embassy.  Three people were killed during the bombing that took place just days after President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who vowed to make the fight against al-Qaeda a priority, was sworn in.

The Peace Corps volunteers were in the country attempting to help Mauritania boost their agricultural production, combat widespread erosion, and bolster health and education programs.

For more information, please see:

AFP – U.S. Peace Corps Pulls Out of Mauritania – 17 August 2009

AP – U.S. Peace Corps Pulls Out Mauritania Volunteers – 17 August 2009

BBC – U.S. Aid Workers Leave Mauritania – 17 August 2009

Reuters – U.S. Peace Corps Pulls Volunteers From Mauritania – 17 August 2009

Author: Impunity Watch Archive