Exposing Mauritania's Ethnic Cleansing and Impunity
Between 1989 and 1991, the Mauritanian government orchestrated a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing aimed at eradicating Black Mauritanians, including Fulanis, Soninkes, and Wolofs. Thousands of civilians and military personnel were wrongfully accused of plotting a coup or labeled as foreigners, resulting in deportation, torture, executions, and enforced disappearances. To this day, many of those responsible for these atrocities continue to hold high-ranking positions in the government and are shielded from accountability by Amnesty Law 93.23. Victims and their families continue to demand justice and recognition for these crimes against humanity
yero lam's children
Yero Lam was arrested after his brother, Abdramane Lam, was killed, in June 1989. Both had resisted the expropriation of their cattle. Members of their family were deported to Senegal.Lieutenant Oumar Sall
On November 28, 1990, Mauritania’s Independence Day, 28 Black Mauritanians, including the Diallo brothers, were brutally executed in a planned act to mark the occasion. This heinous act underscores the systemic oppression and injustice faced by Black communities in Mauritania.
Diallo Ibrahima Demba, born in 1956 in Ndiawaldi (Mbagne), and his younger brother, Diallo Oumar Demba, born in 1965 in the same village, were both dedicated soldiers in the Mauritanian Army. On November 28, 1990, during the regime’s brutal purges, Diallo Ibrahima Demba was unjustly executed by hanging in Inal. In a cruel display of inhumanity, his younger brother Oumar was forced to witness his elder brother’s execution before he too suffered the same fate.These heinous acts were carried out under the command of Colonel Sid’Ahmed Ould Boilil, then commander of the Nouadhibou military region. The executions of the Diallo brothers exemplify the regime’s systematic oppression and underscore the urgent need for accountability. Their tragic story is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices endured and the imperative to seek justice for those who suffered under such tyranny.
These personal stories are emblematic of the broader tragedy inflicted upon Black Mauritanians during this period. The accounts of individuals who perished during the wave of arrests and detentions in 1990-1991 highlight the human cost of Mauritania’s systemic persecution.
Lives Taken, Familes Shattered
Ly Moussa, a businessman from Dar el Barka, was arrested twice—first in 1986 as a suspected member of FLAM and again in November 1990 in connection with an alleged coup attempt. After enduring imprisonment in multiple facilities, Ly Moussa died in detention, leaving his family and business behind.
Kane Abdrahmane, a meteorologist from Tekane, was employed in Nouadhibou for over 15 years before his arrest in November 1990. His fate underscores the government’s targeting of Black professionals.
Sow Ibrahima, an army sergeant and former POW during the Sahara War, was arrested despite no known political involvement, leaving behind two wives and children.
Ball Souleye, an army corporal, lost his father during the expulsions of 1989. Arrested in Aleg in late 1990, his death further devastated his family in Rosso.
Forced Displacement and Confiscation
Entire villages have been burned, and residents forcibly relocated under military supervision. Villagers are frequently coerced into providing food and livestock for the security forces, further depleting their resources and exacerbating their vulnerability.
refugees
TORTURED
EXECUTED
Executions
Many individuals are executed without due process, including those already under arrest. Victims have been killed during or before curfew hours, often without evidence of any wrongdoing. These acts constitute blatant violations of human rights and due process.
Detention, Torture, and Humiliation
Detainees are subjected to inhumane treatment, including severe torture methods such as “jaguar.” Prisoners are often denied basic rights, such as visitation, adequate clothing, and humane treatment. Such practices highlight the systemic disregard for human dignity.
Denial of Fundamental Rights
Basic activities like fishing, farming, and herding require military authorization, yet even those with permits face arrests. Individuals perceived as having connections to Senegal are frequently expelled, further marginalizing those born during the colonial era.
A Cry for Justice
In April 1991, over 75 women—relatives of the deceased—signed a petition to ex-President Taya, expressing their grief and demanding answers about their missing loved ones. Their letter revealed the social and economic devastation caused by the arrests and killings, with many families losing their sole breadwinners. They implored the President to break the silence, provide clarity on the deaths, and assist the bereaved families. The women’s collective appeal stands as a powerful testament to their resilience and determination for justice.
Voices of Protest
In a rare display of opposition, trade unions and intellectuals issued public statements condemning the killings. The Mauritanian Workers Union (UTM) called for an independent commission of inquiry and a national conference to address the democratic process. Meanwhile, 50 prominent Mauritanians—including former ministers and lawyers—denounced the repression of Black Mauritanians in an open letter to the President. They highlighted the extrajudicial executions, disappearances, and other atrocities, describing them as the consequence of “blind repression” and the absence of democratic freedoms.
Arabization and Racial Discrimination
The roots of Mauritania’s oppression of its Black communities lie in decades of “Arabization,” a policy that marginalized Black Mauritanians since independence in 1960. From education and language to employment and access to justice, the policy entrenched systemic discrimination. The Halpulaar community, in particular, faced violent repression following protests against these injustices in the 1980s. Events like the 1986 arrest of Black intellectuals for publishing The Manifesto of the Oppressed Black Mauritanian and the 1987 execution of three Black officers accused of plotting a coup illustrate the regime’s unrelenting targeting of Black Mauritanians.
“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty”
Mahatma Gandhi
Refugee Crises and Economic Suppression
By early 1991, over 60,000 Black Mauritanians had fled to Senegal, with thousands more in Mali. Official figures likely underestimate the true scale of displacement. The deportations tapered off in 1990, but the government shifted its focus to economically suppressing Black professionals. Many civil servants, teachers, and health workers were dismissed or had their salaries withheld, leaving vital roles unfilled and worsening systemic inequalities. Simultaneously, the military presence along the Senegal River Valley enabled violent abuses against Black villagers, perpetuating a cycle of killings, rapes, and torture.
A Path Toward Justice
These accounts of systemic violence, public protests, and historical marginalization highlight the urgent need for justice and accountability in Mauritania. .As Black Mauritanians increasingly articulate their grievances from abroad, the international community must amplify their voices and pressure the Mauritanian government to end its discriminatory practices, investigate past atrocities, and ensure the protection of human rights for all citizens
