The Drive behind increased military collaboration between China and Mauritania.
China and Mauritania are working towards expanding their bilateral relations, particularly in the realm of military cooperation. This was evident during the visit of Mauritanian Defense Minister Hanna Ould Sidi to China on September 1st, where he engaged in discussions with his Chinese counterpart, General Li Changfu. The Mauritanian minister’s participation in the “Third China-Africa Peace and Security Forum” further highlighted the commitment of both countries to enhance military cooperation mechanisms.
It is important to note that the approach taken by China and Mauritania cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader developments occurring in the West African region, which have garnered significant attention from China. This heightened attention is particularly notable in light of the recent surge in military coups, with Niger and Gabon being the most recent examples.
The increasing focus of China and Mauritania on enhancing their bilateral military cooperation aligns with several concurrent developments at the global and African arenas. These developments shed light on the underlying motivations of both nations in pursuing this strategy. The foremost motives can be identified as follows:
1- The meeting between the defense ministers of Mauritania and China is significant as it follows Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Sheikh Al-Ghazouani’s first visit to China on July 29th. This indicates Mauritania’s intention to enhance its diplomatic efforts on the global stage and establish multiple partnerships with major international powers, particularly China. China, on the other hand, aims to bolster its presence in the region in the upcoming phase due to economic partnership expansion and the need to manage conflicts with the US in various parts of the world.
2- Exploiting the waning French role in the region: The growing interest of China and Mauritania in broadening the scope of their bilateral relations cannot be disentangled from the diminishing influence of numerous European nations in the West African region, notably France. France is presently grappling with challenges that appear formidable in this region due to recent military coups, which were initially directed against Paris as a result of widespread discontent with its prevailing influence. In this context, Beijing may perceive these developments as a favorable opportunity to fortify its presence in the region, particularly considering the strategic location of Mauritania along the Atlantic Ocean.
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the significance of collaboration with Mauritania in addressing these advancements during his meeting with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Sheikh Al-Ghazouani. He highlighted that amidst unprecedented global transformations, China and Mauritania should maintain a strong friendship, supporting each other as well as fostering a mutually beneficial partnership for development. Furthermore, they should collectively safeguard their shared interests, international integrity, and justice.
3- China recognizes the strategic significance of Mauritania in the African Sahel region, where NATO has forged robust alliances. NATO relies on these alliances to execute its African strategy, which centers on preempting threats that may jeopardize its members’ interests, particularly about counterterrorism efforts and the management of illegal immigration. In this context, China may endeavor to secure Mauritania’s backing for its multipolar world vision, thereby signaling to Western nations, in particular, China’s ability to influence regions of importance to China.
Possible consequences
The Mauritanian and Chinese actions are anticipated to have significant implications on the region and bilateral relations between the two nations, as outlined below.
1- The Escalation of Maritime Competition between China and the US: Numerous reports suggest that China is potentially advancing towards the establishment of a naval base in Mauritania. This move aims to capitalize on China’s investments in West Africa and its close proximity to European borders. It is important to note that this military expansion is not limited to the existing base in Djibouti. Such a move would intensify the rivalry between China and the US, as the latter perceives it as a direct threat to its security and interests. This is particularly significant given the ongoing escalation between the two nations in the Indo-Pacific region.
2- The increasing collaboration on security matters between China and Mauritania: The consecutive visits of Mauritanian officials to China might indicate an imminent agreement to enhance the extent of mutual military and security cooperation. This collaboration aims to address potential threats that could impact the interests of both countries, particularly those from the state of instability in the West African region. A series of coups have transpired since 2020, with the most recent instances occurring in Niger on July 26 and Gabon on August 30.
3- China has shown a particular interest in increasing its investments in Mauritania in order to facilitate the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative. Various sectors in Mauritania, such as the minerals sector, have received significant attention from China. During a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Sheikh Ghazouani on July 30th, Premier Li emphasized the importance of signing a cooperation plan within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. This plan aims to expand practical collaboration in agriculture, fisheries, and animal husbandry, as well as in the areas of animals, energy, minerals, and infrastructure construction. The objective is to achieve mutual benefit and create a win-win situation for both countries.
Diverging Interests
China and Mauritania seem ready to enhance their bilateral relations through military and economic agreements. This is driven by the shared interests that both countries have with regards to the current state in West Africa. Mauritania perceives China as a significant global power and believes that expanding their relationship with China will provide them with broader opportunities to assert their presence on the international stage. China on the other hand views Mauritania as a crucial staging point to expand its influence in the West African. Additionally, China sees this partnership as a means to effectively counter the ongoing tensions with the US which is aiming to exert pressure on China’s vital interests across various regions worldwide.
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Publish date : 2023-10-15 07:00:00
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