A devastating humanitarian crisis is unfolding as jihadist violence, originally concentrated in the Sahel, increasingly spills into coastal West African nations. This crisis, and its expansion, has created millions of refugees and displaced persons across the region. The regional response, however, remains fractured. While new alliances like the Association of Sahel States (AES) have formed, a truly coordinated counter-insurgency strategy has yet to emerge. In this bleak landscape, Mauritania stands out for its unique success in preventing attacks for over a decade. Its approach combines robust military investment with community-focused initiatives that win local cooperation for intelligence gathering. Its model of combining security with development offers a critical case study for a region struggling to push back against a relentless and spreading threat. However, the country has faced accusations of human rights abuses.
The Guardian
