Mauritanian parliamentarian calls for cancellation of ‘suspicious’ EU migration agreement

Mauritanian Member of Parliament Mohamed Bouy Ould Cheikh Mohamed Fadel has urged the government to cancel its migration agreement with the European Union, describing the deal as “suspicious” during a parliamentary session on Friday.

Speaking at a public session devoted to discussing irregular migration, Ould Cheikh Mohamed Fadel demanded the “deportation of any foreigner in an illegal situation” within Mauritania.

The parliamentarian called for “an apology and compensation to any Mauritanian arrested in the context of combating irregular migration” and advocated for “punishment of any security official who offended a Mauritanian” during migration enforcement operations.

He further held the government “responsible for the entry of any foreigner deported from the European Union, or the continued presence of any illegal immigrant in the country,” whilst urging authorities to “protect the country and respect human rights in its dealings with illegal immigrants.”

The statements come after a European Union delegation visited Mauritania last year to sign a joint declaration on combating illegal migration and enhancing cooperation between the two parties.

This agreement has sparked significant controversy on social media platforms, with concerns that it may contain undisclosed provisions regarding the deportation of African nationals and their subsequent resettlement in Mauritania.