President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has executed a major reorganization of Mauritania’s military leadership, appointing General Mohamed Vall Ould Raïs as Armed Forces Chief of Staff. This restructuring follows recent Algerian military incursions into Mauritanian territory and coincides with strengthening ties between Mauritania and Morocco.
The changes include six major appointments across defense and security sectors, notably installing General Sidou Samba Dia as head of External Intelligence. The timing is significant, occurring after Algerian forces reportedly penetrated up to 90 kilometers into Mauritanian territory during President Ghazouani’s unofficial visit to Morocco.
The reshuffle is widely seen as a direct response to growing Algerian provocations and attempts to influence Nouakchott’s political decisions. Mauritanian officials and analysts view these appointments as a clear strategic realignment away from traditional Algerian influence.
The restructuring strengthens Mauritania’s position in the emerging “3+3” regional bloc (Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Portugal, Spain, France) which notably excludes Algeria. Colonel Mohamed El-Amin Mohamed Ablal’s appointment as Commander of the Sahel Defense College further signals Mauritania’s commitment to regional security coordination.
This shift holds particular significance given Algeria’s historical interference in Mauritanian affairs, including during the 1978 coup. The reorganization also reflects Mauritania’s rejection of Polisario’s destabilizing presence while strengthening ties with Morocco through strategic projects like the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline.
These changes demonstrate Mauritania’s commitment to countering Algerian interference while pursuing closer cooperation with Morocco, potentially isolating both Algeria and its proxy Polisario Front in regional affairs.
