Gambiaj.com – (NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania) – Prominent Mauritanian human rights activist Boubacar Ould Messaoud, a leading figure in the fight against slavery in Mauritania, has died at the age of 80.
The veteran campaigner passed away on Thursday in Nouakchott, according to officials from the organization he founded, bringing to an end decades of activism aimed at eradicating slavery and defending the rights of its victims.
Messaoud was the founder of SOS Esclaves, an anti-slavery organization established in 1995 to combat the persistence of slavery in Mauritania and support the reintegration of former slaves into society.
For years, the group operated without official recognition before finally obtaining legal status in 2005.
Born in 1945 in Rosso in southern Mauritania, Messaoud trained as an architect and contributed to the design of several buildings in Nouakchott. However, he became widely known for his activism against slavery and racial discrimination.
He joined the anti-slavery movement El Hor in 1975, later dedicating his life to human rights advocacy and campaigning for the abolition of slavery in Mauritania.
Although slavery was officially abolished in the country in 1981, activists say the practice has continued in various forms. Mauritanian authorities strengthened penalties against slavery in 2015, but rights groups have repeatedly warned that enforcement remains limited.
Arrests and Deprivation of Rights
Messaoud’s activism also extended to denouncing abuses committed against Black Mauritanians between 1989 and 1992 during the rule of former president Maaouiya Ould Taya. His outspoken stance led to political marginalization and professional repercussions.
He co-founded the political party Action pour le changement, which was later banned by the government. During the 1980s and early 1990s, he faced several arrests and restrictions on his political activities.
In 1991, he was also dismissed from his post as director-general of the state housing company Socogim due to his political positions.
Despite these challenges, Messaoud continued his advocacy and gained international recognition for his work. He received the French Republic Human Rights Prize in 2010 and the Anti‑Slavery International Award in 2009. In 2023, Mauritania honored him with the rank of officer of the National Order of Merit.
A funeral prayer was held for him Thursday at the Grand Mosque in Nouakchott before his burial in Rosso, about 200 kilometres south of the capital.
Messaoud is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Mauritania’s anti-slavery movement, having spent decades advocating for justice, dignity, and equal rights for victims of slavery.
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