Nouakchott – “No development can be attained without security. It is with safe borders that we can guarantee the security of cross-border communities,” says Mr Saghair Haimdon, Mayor of Bousteila, a village located at the border between Mauritania and Mali.

To facilitate and secure cross-border movements of communities, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) inaugurated in Bousteila the construction of the 22^nd land border posts built by IOM since 2010 (of the 47 official border crossing points), thanks to the support of the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF).

While contributing to the economic development of communities living in border areas, the frequent cross-border movements can pose a danger to local communities and migrants, specifically when these movements are done in a disorderly manner.

Mauritania has more than 5,000 kilometres of land borders, the vast majority of which are located far from major roads and urban areas. In a bit to strengthen collaboration between border communities and security forces, “village committees” were established by IOM.

Committees, established in villages around border posts, have improved security in these areas by strengthening relationships between villages and border officials. The youths are sensitised on the importance of border posts for the safe movement of communities through community meeting and discussions. Finally, the committees also act as mediator between cross-border communities, thus contributing to the resolution of conflicts over natural resources between communities.

In December, three new posts built by IOM were delivered to the gendarmerie. Two others are currently under construction in Diama and N’Bekeit Lawach and will be delivered in 2020.

These border posts were financed by the EUTF through the EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration.

These achievements are the fruit of the implementation of the Integrated Border Management Strategy, adopted by the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in 2015 and developed by IOM. This strategy covers all fields relevant to strengthening border management, including organisational and operational, legal, human resources, structural and equipment as well as financial frameworks.

For more information, please contact Laurent de Castelli at IOM Mauritania: Tel: +222 45 24 40, Email: ldecastelli@iom.int