Mauritania: what tensions reveal after the death of Oumar Diop, a young black man

In Mauritania, the country's main cities were shaken earlier this week by riots following the death of a young black Mauritanian, Oumar Diop, on May 28, 2023. These tensions have exposed a fragility in Mauritania's social cohesion. Explanations.

Audio 01:23

View of the city of Nouakchott in 2017 (illustration image). Laminesall96 / Wikimedia Commons

Text by: RFI Follow

Advertising

Read more

Calm had returned to Mauritania on June 1, 2023. The country's main cities were shaken earlier this week by violent riots that caused the death of a young man in Boghé, 300 km southeast of the capital.

The protests began after the death of a young black Mauritanian, Oumar Diop, who died hours after being arrested by police.

>> READ ALSO: Mauritania: strong protests following the death of a young black man, after his arrest by the police

The authorities have appealed for calm and announced an investigation that includes the autopsy of Oumar Diop. But these days of violence have exposed a fragility of Mauritania's social cohesion.

« On the issue of discrimination, measures have been taken »

Although banned since 1981, the slavery of Mauritanian populations of black African origin has left its mark on society. However, according to Ahmed Salem Ould Bouhoubeyni, president of the National Human Rights Commission, much has been done to blur them. "Slavery has been elevated to the rank of a crime against humanity, and with regard to the issue of discrimination, measures have been taken," he told Gaëlle Laleix. We have worked on civil registration, we have worked on access for all citizens to public services in terms of access to justice, access to the public service. There are a number of very legitimate claims. There are actions that are being carried out, that are there, and we continue to push even further."

>> Read also: In Mauritania, a toll-free number to denounce cases of slavery

« The laws are there, but the reality on the ground is something else. »

These measures are considered insufficient by black Mauritanian activists who believe that there is no political will to fight discrimination. Kaaw Touré, spokesperson for the Progressive Forces of Change, said: "The laws are there, only, the laws are for international consumption, but the reality on the ground is something else. Today there is a policy of impunity against certain citizens. The police kill, arrest and torture without any prosecution. The systemic exclusion of the black community in the administration, the military, in diplomacy, everywhere, is visible.

 »

Today, black Mauritanian activists are calling for the organization.

Newsletter Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

Read on on the same topics:

  • Mauritania