Relationship dossier
France
Mauritania
Relationship assessment
Substantial cooperation on development and Sahel security, with details of bilateral arrangements unclear.
France toward Mauritania
+40France has provided development assistance to Mauritania and supported security cooperation in the Sahel, including regional counterterrorism efforts involving Mauritania.
Mauritania toward France
+35Mauritania has participated in regional counterterrorism cooperation supported by France, including through the G5 Sahel framework and its joint force.
Overall relationship
+40Development assistance and security cooperation have been durable features of the relationship. Mauritania's participation in regional Sahel security initiatives and France's support for those efforts provide a basis for sustained cooperation, although the scope of direct bilateral arrangements is unclear.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
France and Mauritania have maintained substantial cooperation, particularly on development and Sahel security. France has provided development assistance and supported security cooperation, while Mauritania has participated in regional counterterrorism efforts backed by France. The breadth and implementation of current bilateral arrangements are not clear.
Key developments
Mauritania joined other Sahel states in establishing the G5 Sahel framework, which later formed a joint force against armed groups with French support.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of bilateral defense and development arrangements are unclear.
- Details of Mauritanian government cooperation with France outside regional security initiatives are limited.