Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – A seemingly simple task of naming support vessels chartered for the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas field, which straddles the maritime border between Senegal and Mauritania, has ignited a diplomatic dispute between the two West African nations. The vessels, essential to supporting operations at the GTA gas field, were named by stakeholders in the project, which include oil giants BP and Kosmos Energy, along with the national oil companies of Senegal (Petrosen) and Mauritania (SMH). However, one vessel’s name quickly drew historical sensitivities to the fore.

The four ships, provided by the Kotug/Maritalia consortium, were individually christened by each partner earlier this August. BP suggested “Waalo,” referencing a region at the mouth of the Senegal River, while Kosmos chose “Djoudj,” named after a renowned bird sanctuary northeast of Saint-Louis. The Mauritanian Hydrocarbons Company selected “Chamama,” a Mauritanian region north of the Senegal River.

However, Petrosen’s newly appointed Managing Director, Alioune Guèye, opted for “Talatay Nder,” a name that immediately caused disquiet across the border.

The name “Talatay Nder” recalls a tragic episode from 1820, when women in the Senegalese village of Nder sacrificed their lives to avoid capture by northern raiders aiming to enslave them. The incident, marked annually in Senegal, remains a point of cultural significance and deep remembrance. When Nouakchott learned of the name, Mauritanian officials voiced strong objections, viewing it as a painful reminder of a difficult chapter between the two countries.

The Mauritanian side, offended, subsequently proposed renaming their vessel to “Bilad Chinguetti,” meaning “the land of the Moors.” This rekindled historical sentiments on both sides, prompting swift diplomatic intervention.

On September 8, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye personally reached out to Mauritanian counterparts, aiming to ease tensions.

Both countries share critical stakes in the GTA field, operated by BP and Kosmos, whose development costs have almost doubled since the project’s inception. An audit requested by Mauritania in April called for a thorough reassessment of these rising expenses, pushing Dakar and Nouakchott to seek common ground for a renegotiation with BP.

With substantial investments and strategic collaboration on the line, both governments are making efforts to de-escalate this situation. The GTA field promises vast economic returns, making strong diplomatic ties essential as Senegal and Mauritania face the complex negotiations ahead in their joint gas venture.