Gambiaj.com – (NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania) – Reports from the Mauritanian media indicate that soldiers from Mali briefly entered several villages inside Mauritania earlier this week, raising concerns about rising tensions between the two neighboring countries along their poorly demarcated border.
According to local media outlets, including Al Akhbar and Saharamedias, a patrol from the Malian army entered villages in the commune of Gogui in the Hodh El Gharbi region on the morning of Wednesday, March 25.
The area lies along a section of the frontier where the boundary between the two countries has long remained unclear.
Local officials and residents told reporters that Malian soldiers entered several villages and demanded that the Mauritanian flag hoisted at a village school be taken down. Residents reportedly refused the request, after which the soldiers withdrew from the area.
Security sources in Mauritania confirmed the incident to Radio France Internationale (RFI), stating that the Malian patrol consisted of four armed vehicles. The troops eventually left the area without any confrontation after reportedly recording GPS coordinates.
A Malian security source also acknowledged the incursion, suggesting it may have been the result of confusion about the exact location of the border. “In this area everything is mixed. They believed they were still in Mali,” the source reportedly said, adding that the soldiers were later recalled by their command.
Despite the reports, neither government has issued an official statement on the matter. Authorities in Nouakchott have neither confirmed nor denied the incident, while Malian military and diplomatic officials have not publicly commented.
Rising Border Tensions
The incident comes amid heightened tension between the two Sahelian countries over the past several days.
Earlier this month, two Mauritanian shepherds were reportedly killed on Malian territory near the border, sparking outrage in Mauritania. The situation was further complicated by reports last week of a supposed escape involving Malian hostages allegedly held in Mauritania, which later proved to be unfounded.
Observers in Mauritania have interpreted the latest border incident as a possible provocation, though authorities in Nouakchott appear keen to prevent the situation from escalating.
On Monday, March 23, Mauritania’s Interior Ministry urged citizens to avoid crossing the border and warned against traveling to insecure areas.
Despite the tensions, both Mauritania and Mali signaled last week their intention to strengthen cooperation, while diplomatic efforts continue to maintain calm relations between the two neighbors.
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