Mauritania rejects ties to Sudan paramilitary adviser visit
The government of Mauritania has officially denied any role in the recent visit of Mohamed Al-Mukhtar, political and legal adviser to the commander of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Middle East Monitor via RT Arabic reported on May 1st.
They maintain that Al-Mukhtar’s trip was made in a private capacity. Speaking at a press conference in Nouakchott on April 30th, Minister of Culture and government spokesperson El-Houssein Ould Meddou clarified that “the government did not invite the political adviser to the commander of Sudan’s RSF.”
He said Al-Mukhtar’s visit was based on a personal invitation and not part of any official diplomatic engagement. Al-Mukhtar reportedly attended events organised by a religious body linked to the Qadiriyya Sufi order in West Africa. His presence was noted at a gathering on April 25th in the village of Nimjatt, in the Trarza region of western Mauritania.
Al-Mukhtar has been accused of having ties to attacks committed by the RSF in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, including involvement in operations which targeted civilians.
The United Nations Security Council has recently raised the alarm over intensified RSF attacks, Middle East Monitor via Anadolu Agency reported on April 18th. At least 400 civilians were killed in El Fasher as well as the Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps for internally displaced people.
A report from Amnesty International has also documented 36 cases of rape, gang rape, and sexual slavery perpetrated by the RSF between April 2023 and October 2024. According to Middle East Eye on April 11th, this information is based on interviews with survivors and their relatives in Ugandan refugee camps. Amnesty asserts that these acts of sexual violence constitute war crimes and potentially crimes against humanity.
Middle East Monitor via RT Arabic, Middle East Eye, Anadolu Agency, Amnesty International
