Polisario police chief arrested in Algeria

2010-09-23 Polisario Police Inspector-General Mustapha Salma Ould Sidi Mouloud was arrested by his own subordinates on charges of treason, Sahrawi Press Service (SPS) confirmed on Thursday (September 23rd). Ould Sidi Mouloud was taken into custody Tuesday in Mheriz, about 30km from the Mauritania border, Sahrawi Ambassador to Algeria Ibrahim Ghali told AFP. The police chief would be "brought to justice for treason and his trial would not be kept secret", Ghali added.

At a press conference last month in Smara, Ould Sidi Mouloud said that Morocco's proposal to give extensive autonomy to the Sahrawis was the best possible solution to the Western Sahara conflict. He left Laayoune for Algeria on August 30th to mobilise support for the initiative.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi Fihri issued a statement Thursday denouncing "the arrest of Mustapha Salma Ould Sidi Mouloud, while he was preparing to join his family members in the camps of Tindouf in Algeria, following a stay in Morocco". The minister added that the "Kingdom of Morocco rejects, vigorously and categorically, the excuses and arguments advanced to justify this extremely serious act".

US ambassador-designate pledges Mauritania anti-terror support

2010-09-23 The US ambassador nominee to Mauritania pledged to reinforce co-operation in the fight against terrorism, Nouakchott service ANI reported on Wednesday (September 22nd). "Mauritania has repeatedly demonstrated its strong commitment to combat al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb but requires assistance to strengthen its capabilities," Jo Ellen Powell told US legislators. The ambassador-designate also stressed that, if confirmed, she planned to augment US anti-terror assistance for local police, security forces and judges.

Mauritania strikes AQIM in Mali

2010-09-19 Mauritanian soldiers killed at least 12 al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb terrorists during a 2-day skirmish that ended Saturday (September 18th) in Mali. As part of the Sahel-Saharan security co-operation initiative, Mali warned Mauritania on Friday that a column of AQIM armoured vehicles was observed heading to the shared border to attack a Mauritanian military post, the Mauritanian Defence Minister said Saturday. Six Mauritanian troops died in the offensive.

In related news, seven foreigners kidnapped in the northern Niger Sahara have been moved to Mali, Radio France International cited Algeria and Niger security sources as saying on Friday. French authorities suspect that AQIM terrorists are responsible for the Arlit kidnappings. There has been no ransom demand for the five French and 2 African hostages.

IMF experts visit Mauritania

2010-09-19 International Monetary Fund (IMF) experts will conclude a four-day working visit to Mauritania on Sunday (September 19th), PANA reported. The IMF reportedly examined the progress of a three-year programme to boost macroeconomic indicators and improve living conditions of the population.

Mauritania arrests AQIM suspect

2010-09-17 Mauritanian security services on Thursday (September 16th) arrested a man for suspected links to an alleged al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb terrorist captured in Nouakchott earlier this week, ANI reported. El Hacen Ould Maatalla is accused of participating in the Aklet Tourine and El Ghallaouiya terror attacks that killed at least 14 Mauritanian soldiers.

Mauritania arrests AQIM suspect

2010-09-15 Nouakchott security services on Tuesday (September 14th) arrested a suspected member of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, ANI reported. The suspect allegedly participated in the Aklet Tourine and El Ghallaouiya terror attacks that killed at least 14Mauritanian soldiers.