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Hereditary slavery in Mauritania

Mauritania remains one of the last strongholds of slavery, where both traditional (hereditary) and modern slavery persist, despite legal prohibitions. Slavery is deeply embedded in social structures, economic systems, and cultural hierarchies, affecting tens of thousands of people.

The Story of Moulkheir Mint Yarba

Moulkheir Mint Yarba returned from a day of tending her master’s goats in the Sahara to an unthinkable horror: Her baby girl, barely old enough to crawl, had been left outdoors to die. The usually stoic mother—her jet-black eyes and calloused hands bearing decades of suffering—broke down when she saw her child’s lifeless face, eyes open and covered in ants, resting in the orange sands of the Mauritanian desert. Her master, the man who had raped her to conceive the child, wanted to punish her. He told her she would work faster without a baby on her back. When Moulkheir begged for a break to bury her daughter, her master refused. "Her soul is a dog’s soul," he told her. "Get back to work." Later that day, at the cemetery, she dug a shallow grave and buried her child without washing her or performing burial rites. "I only had my tears to console me," she later told anti-slavery activists in a written testimony. "Instead of understanding, they ordered me to shut up. Otherwise, they would make things worse for me—so bad that I wouldn’t be able to endure it."
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The Persistence of slavery and Oppression in mauritania

Slavery in Mauritania

Slavery in Mauritania remains one of the most deeply entrenched and persistent human rights violations in the world. Traditional (hereditary) slavery continues to exist despite official abolition, where individuals are born into servitude and considered the property of their masters. Enslaved individuals are forced to work without pay, obey all commands, and cannot leave their masters without permission. This practice follows a maternal lineage, meaning that children of enslaved mothers are automatically considered slaves from birth. They inherit their status, just like livestock or property, and their masters have full control over their lives.
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Traditional Slavery: A Hereditary System

Hereditary slavery in Mauritania is deeply racialized, where White Moors (Beydane), the Arab-Berber ruling elite, have historically enslaved Black Moors (Haratines), who are of African descent. The system is ingrained in Mauritania’s tribal and social structures, making it difficult to dismantle. Even when slaves are “freed,” they are often left in conditions of economic and social dependency, with no land, education, or financial resources, keeping them tied to their former masters. In rural areas, many enslaved people do not even realize that slavery has been legally abolished, as they have been conditioned to believe that serving their master is part of their religious and cultural duty.

Slavery is evident in day-to-day life from the dark-skinned boys who serve mint tea in cafés to the women who are made to work with their arms exposed, a sign that they are laborers rather than members of the ruling class. Clothing also signifies status: free men from the Beydane elite wear elaborate robes with gold embroidery, while enslaved or lower-class women wear simple or brightly colored fabrics, often required to keep their arms exposed for work. Some enslaved individuals are even given as gifts or included as part of marriage dowries, further demonstrating how deeply entrenched slavery is in Mauritanian culture.

Despite the official abolition of slavery in 1981 and the criminalization of slave ownership in 2007, enforcement is virtually nonexistent. Only one successful prosecution has taken place under this law, and even when cases are reported, they are often ignored or dismissed by the courts. The Mauritanian government continues to deny the existence of slavery, making it difficult for international organizations, activists, and journalists to investigate or expose the practice.

Reports and Documented Cases

Numerous cases of slavery continue to surface, contradicting government denials. Some of the most significant reports include:

  • November 2021: The Mauritanian National Human Rights Commission uncovered a case of slavery in Ain Ferba.
  • March 2021: The Organization for Human Rights Relief reported a case in Ouadane, where a slave was used as part of a marriage dowry alongside a camel.

Statements from Experts and Activists

Various scholars, journalists, and human rights activists have spoken out about the ongoing issue of slavery in Mauritania:

  • Biram Dah Abeid (Leader of IRA – Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement):
    • “Slaves are inherited through the maternal line and are treated as property, just as in ancient times.”

    • Economic and Social Barriers

      • Tribal dominance and social hierarchy continue to reinforce the legacy of slavery.
      • Widespread poverty disproportionately affects former slaves, keeping them economically dependent on their former masters.
      • Lack of education limits awareness and empowerment, ensuring that generations remain trapped in servitude.

Mauritanian Government: Systematic Suppression and Denial of Slavery

Despite the official abolition of slavery in 1981 and its criminalization in 2007 and 2015, slavery remains deeply rooted in Mauritania. The government denies its existence, suppresses investigations, and restricts media coverage. Journalists and activists who expose slavery face harassment and persecution, while prosecutions of perpetrators remain rare. The dominance of the Beydane elite in political and economic structures further marginalizes Haratines and other Black Mauritanians, preventing meaningful reform.

Mauritania’s failure to enforce its anti-slavery laws, combined with political suppression, allows slavery to persist. Without stronger legal enforcement, judicial oversight, and international pressure, systemic change remains unlikely. Ending slavery in Mauritania requires urgent and sustained action.

Insights and Reports from Leading Organizations

Slavery persists in Mauritania. Click to explore its hereditary and modern forms through insights from various organizations.
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