More information about Mauritania is available on the Mauritania Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.

U.S.-MAURITANIA RELATIONS

The United States was the first country to recognize Mauritania’s independence from France in 1960. Since the late 1960s, U.S. cooperation with Mauritania has varied in response to political conditions. The United States engages with Mauritania on a wide array of issues, including counterterrorism, food security, trade promotion, and efforts to strengthen human rights and the rule of law. The Departments of State, Defense, and USAID are represented at the U.S. Embassy in Nouakchott.

U.S. Assistance to Mauritania

In FY22, the United States government obligated over $68 million to support programs primarily focused on education, humanitarian and development assistance. The United States. also assists Mauritania with partnerships aimed at improving public health, preventing and combating violent extremism and providing food security and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations, including Malian refugees. Another key mission in Mauritania is to advocate for free and fair elections and peaceful transfers of power, like that in 2019 which marked the first peaceful transfer of power between two democratically-elected leaders in Mauritania’s history. Mauritania is a member of the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP) and has received security assistance to support its counterterrorism efforts.

Bilateral Economic Relations

The United States has limited, but growing trade and investment relations with Mauritania. Mauritania is a rising player on the world natural gas stage and a potential leader for large renewable energy projects. The Embassy works closely with the government to ensure that U.S. companies are able to compete for projects related to the development of these resources. Mauritania lost eligibility for trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act in 2019 due to a lack of progress combatting forced labor and hereditary slavery.

Mauritania’s Membership in International Organizations

Mauritania and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the UN, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Mauritania became a member of the United Nations in 1961.

Mauritania is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Mauritania is also a founding member of the G5 Sahel and hosts the G5 Sahel Executive Secretariat and the G5 Sahel Defense College.

Bilateral Representation

Principal embassy officials are listed in the Department’s Key Officers List.

Mauritania maintains an embassy in the United States at 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-232-5700, fax 202-232-5701).

More information about Mauritania is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

CIA World Factbook Mauritania Page
U.S. Embassy
USAID Mauritania Page
History of U.S. Bilateral Relations
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Country Page
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel Information

U.S. Department of State

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