Czech President's Visit to Mauritania Highlights Strategic Partnership Amid Regional Security Concerns
President Peter Pavel emphasizes economic and security cooperation during a three-day visit to Mauritania.
In a context marked by rapid changes in the Sahel and West Africa, as well as increasing international competition on the continent, Czech President Peter Pavel's recent visit to Mauritania underscores both economic and strategic dimensions.
The three-day visit, which concluded on Tuesday, included private talks between the two leaders, resulting in the signing of a 'Protocol of Cooperation and Partnership in Business' between the private sectors of the two countries.
The protocol aims to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, technology transfer, and exchange of expertise, although specific details have not been disclosed.
Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani described the Czech Republic as a 'strategic partner,' emphasizing the potential for collaboration based on Czech industrial experience and Mauritania's aspirations for economic transformation.
He noted that the aim is to forge strong partnerships to create a solid foundation for fruitful economic cooperation.
President Pavel expressed interest in partnering with Mauritania, recognizing the country's stability and investment opportunities.
He highlighted the importance of diversifying cooperation to include political, economic, and security aspects.
Despite the Czech Republic not being a major power in Africa, its recent outreach to Mauritania, located on the periphery of a troubled Sahel region, reflects a growing awareness in Central Europe about Mauritania's 'geo-strategic' importance in a security and economic context.
Historically, the security aspect dominated relations between the two nations, which currently lack embassies in each other's capitals; the Czech Republic relies on its ambassador in Morocco, while Mauritania is represented by its ambassador in Germany.
In November 2024, the Czech Parliament approved the deployment of 30 special forces troops to Mauritania for military training, part of NATO's initiative to strengthen the capacities of allied armies in conflict-prone areas, thereby addressing challenges threatening European security from the south.
A representative from the Czech Ministry of Defense characterized Mauritania as an important gateway, noting concerns over Russian attempts to destabilize the region and diminish Western influence.
This statement alludes to the ongoing geopolitical rivalry in Africa, particularly following Russia's increased presence in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, and France's waning influence in an area that had been historically under its sway.
Mauritania is positioning itself as a reliable partner in the region, leveraging its relatively stable security environment compared to its neighbors and its economic potential in sectors such as energy resources, notably natural gas and green hydrogen.
The country is recognized as NATO's sole partner in the Sahel and is strategically located near European coasts.
It aims to establish a robust security and military partnership with NATO countries to address common security threats.
With a focus on enhancing cooperation with the Czech Republic, Mauritania also seeks to compensate for delays in the arms race within the region—especially following the acquisition of advanced weapons and technologies by its Russian-aligned neighbors.
Through its rapprochement with Prague, Mauritania aims to attract military and civilian technology transfers, train its armed forces, and improve its combat capabilities in cybersecurity and military infrastructure.
Although military cooperation remains under the radar, the composition of the Czech delegation accompanying President Pavel during his visit—a mix of representatives from arms manufacturing and emerging warfare technologies—suggests deeper intentions.
Companies like OMNIPOL, CZ, and EXCALIBUR INTERNATIONAL are noted for their involvement in the production of military equipment, air defense systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, intelligence systems, and secure communication technologies, revealing a strategic interest from Prague in establishing a defense foothold at the periphery of the Sahel.
Despite no public disclosure of meetings between Czech arms firms and Mauritanian military officials during this visit, the presence of such companies echoes prior engagements, such as a visit by Mauritania's Minister of Defense to the Czech Republic in February.
During that visit, discussions focused on security challenges in the Sahel and ways to enhance bilateral military cooperation, although specific outcomes were not outlined.
Since closing its embassy in Mali in 2022, the Czech Republic appears to be recalibrating its strategic position in West Africa amidst growing unease about increased Russian involvement through entities such as the Wagner Group.
Experts suggest that Mauritania serves as 'the last line of defense' for the West in the Sahel, prompting NATO allies to bolster Mauritania's military capabilities while the Czech Republic works to solidify its security partnerships in a broader strategy to counter Russian expansion.
The three-day visit, which concluded on Tuesday, included private talks between the two leaders, resulting in the signing of a 'Protocol of Cooperation and Partnership in Business' between the private sectors of the two countries.
The protocol aims to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, technology transfer, and exchange of expertise, although specific details have not been disclosed.
Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani described the Czech Republic as a 'strategic partner,' emphasizing the potential for collaboration based on Czech industrial experience and Mauritania's aspirations for economic transformation.
He noted that the aim is to forge strong partnerships to create a solid foundation for fruitful economic cooperation.
President Pavel expressed interest in partnering with Mauritania, recognizing the country's stability and investment opportunities.
He highlighted the importance of diversifying cooperation to include political, economic, and security aspects.
Despite the Czech Republic not being a major power in Africa, its recent outreach to Mauritania, located on the periphery of a troubled Sahel region, reflects a growing awareness in Central Europe about Mauritania's 'geo-strategic' importance in a security and economic context.
Historically, the security aspect dominated relations between the two nations, which currently lack embassies in each other's capitals; the Czech Republic relies on its ambassador in Morocco, while Mauritania is represented by its ambassador in Germany.
In November 2024, the Czech Parliament approved the deployment of 30 special forces troops to Mauritania for military training, part of NATO's initiative to strengthen the capacities of allied armies in conflict-prone areas, thereby addressing challenges threatening European security from the south.
A representative from the Czech Ministry of Defense characterized Mauritania as an important gateway, noting concerns over Russian attempts to destabilize the region and diminish Western influence.
This statement alludes to the ongoing geopolitical rivalry in Africa, particularly following Russia's increased presence in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, and France's waning influence in an area that had been historically under its sway.
Mauritania is positioning itself as a reliable partner in the region, leveraging its relatively stable security environment compared to its neighbors and its economic potential in sectors such as energy resources, notably natural gas and green hydrogen.
The country is recognized as NATO's sole partner in the Sahel and is strategically located near European coasts.
It aims to establish a robust security and military partnership with NATO countries to address common security threats.
With a focus on enhancing cooperation with the Czech Republic, Mauritania also seeks to compensate for delays in the arms race within the region—especially following the acquisition of advanced weapons and technologies by its Russian-aligned neighbors.
Through its rapprochement with Prague, Mauritania aims to attract military and civilian technology transfers, train its armed forces, and improve its combat capabilities in cybersecurity and military infrastructure.
Although military cooperation remains under the radar, the composition of the Czech delegation accompanying President Pavel during his visit—a mix of representatives from arms manufacturing and emerging warfare technologies—suggests deeper intentions.
Companies like OMNIPOL, CZ, and EXCALIBUR INTERNATIONAL are noted for their involvement in the production of military equipment, air defense systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, intelligence systems, and secure communication technologies, revealing a strategic interest from Prague in establishing a defense foothold at the periphery of the Sahel.
Despite no public disclosure of meetings between Czech arms firms and Mauritanian military officials during this visit, the presence of such companies echoes prior engagements, such as a visit by Mauritania's Minister of Defense to the Czech Republic in February.
During that visit, discussions focused on security challenges in the Sahel and ways to enhance bilateral military cooperation, although specific outcomes were not outlined.
Since closing its embassy in Mali in 2022, the Czech Republic appears to be recalibrating its strategic position in West Africa amidst growing unease about increased Russian involvement through entities such as the Wagner Group.
Experts suggest that Mauritania serves as 'the last line of defense' for the West in the Sahel, prompting NATO allies to bolster Mauritania's military capabilities while the Czech Republic works to solidify its security partnerships in a broader strategy to counter Russian expansion.
