Why Do Black Mauritanians Face Systemic Racism?
Historical Context and Racial Hierarchy
Mauritania’s socio-political landscape has long been shaped by racial divisions, with systemic discrimination influencing access to power and resources. The Arab-Berber elite, known as the Beïdanes, have historically dominated key institutions, reinforcing a hierarchy that marginalizes Black populations, including the Haratines and other Black Mauritanian ethnic groups such as the Halpulaar, Soninke, and Wolof. This longstanding imbalance has resulted in the persistent political, economic, and social exclusion of Black communities.
Despite constitutional provisions guaranteeing equality, state policies and institutional structures continue to prioritize Arab identity over Black Mauritanian heritage. Arabic is emphasized over African languages in governance and education, and Black Mauritanians remain significantly underrepresented in high-ranking government positions, judicial offices, and economic leadership roles. Those who challenge this entrenched system often face state suppression and reprisals.
State-Sponsored Discrimination
Land Confiscation, and Economic Exclusion
Institutionalized racism in Mauritania has led to the systemic exclusion of Black Mauritanians from economic and political life. Land confiscation disproportionately affects Black Mauritanian communities, further depriving them of economic stability and essential resources. Discriminatory laws and policies create significant barriers to employment, land ownership, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Many Black Mauritanians are relegated to low-paying, precarious labor sectors with limited legal protections and few opportunities for advancement.
Activists and journalists exposing racial discrimination frequently face suppression. Prominent figures, such as Biram Dah Abeid, have been repeatedly arrested for their advocacy, while journalists investigating systemic racism encounter censorship and threats of imprisonment or exile. This repression perpetuates entrenched disparities and prevents meaningful challenges to the status quo.
We are all victimsUnimaginable Brutality
Mass Migration, Political Repression, and Human Rights Violations
Systemic discrimination, economic exclusion, and state-sponsored repression have driven thousands of young Black Mauritanians to seek better opportunities abroad. The lack of economic prospects and basic rights has fueled a significant exodus, with many attempting dangerous migration routes to Europe. A substantial number attempt to cross the Atlantic to Spain in small, overcrowded boats, facing dire risks; many drown at sea, while others are detained or deported upon arrival.
Those who remain in Mauritania continue to face police harassment, political exclusion, and economic hardship. The government has also forced activists and influencers into exile. For example, two prominent TikTok personalities, “Procureur” and “Commissaire,” fled to Senegal after being accused of foreign affiliations and facing persecution. Many Black Mauritanians seek asylum in the United States, Senegal, and other West African nations, while countless others perish in their attempts to escape.
Despite overwhelming evidence of systemic discrimination, the Mauritanian government continues to deny its existence. Several high-profile cases of police brutality have further highlighted the dangers faced by Black Mauritanians.
On February 9, human rights activist Soufi Ould Cheine was killed while in detention at Nouakchott’s Dar Naim 2 police station. An autopsy confirmed he sustained fractured cervical vertebrae and signs of strangulation, indicating police brutality. Authorities arrested and charged several officers involved, though no trial had been scheduled by year’s end.
On May 28, police arrested Oumar Diop, a member of the Peul community. Hours later, he was pronounced dead in police custody, prompting widespread protests against police brutality and racial discrimination. The government attributed his death to a heart attack, but his family contested the findings, alleging police violence.
On May 30, police shot and killed Mohamed Lemine Ould Samba, a Haratine protester demonstrating against Diop’s death. Authorities quickly buried Samba without family consent, and no official investigation was conducted into his killing.
Arbitrary arrests and detentions without due process further reinforce an environment of fear and repression, stifling efforts toward justice and equality.
Mauritanian TikTokers Seek Asylum in Senegal Amid Political Persecution
The systemic discrimination and exclusion of Black communities in Mauritania remain deeply entrenched, perpetuated by historical legacies and state policies. These inequalities continue to fuel mass migration, depriving the country of its workforce and future leaders. Without meaningful reforms, Black Mauritanians will remain marginalized, and the cycle of repression, economic disenfranchisement, and social instability will persist. Urgent action is required to address these disparities, ensure equal rights, and promote inclusivity to safeguard Mauritania’s long-term socio-political and economic stability.
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