Editorial
Sep 27, 2025
A coalition of political parties and civil society organizations in Mauritania is calling for an end to racial profiling and violations of the rights of sub-Saharan migrants and Black Mauritanians, following the arbitrary arrest of writer Ibrahima Ba.
In Mauritania, 15 political parties and civil society organizations issued a joint statement denouncing human rights violations against sub-Saharan migrants and Black Mauritanians. This initiative follows the arrest earlier this week of Mauritanian writer Ibrahima Ba , who was near his home.
In a post published on social media, Ibrahima Ba states that he was "arbitrarily" arrested on September 19 , thrown into a cell like a criminal , and deprived of his fundamental rights. For the collective, this is a symbol of the violence and discrimination suffered daily by many migrants and Black Mauritanians.
The director of the presidential cabinet, Nani Ould Chrougha , went to the scene to meet with Ibrahima Ba, in an attempt to calm the situation.
Kaaw Touré, spokesperson for the Progressive Forces for Change, one of the signatory parties, reiterates the main demands:
To denounce the serious violations of the rights of sub-Saharan migrants , which give Mauritania the image of a racist nation.
Put an end to racial profiling , which has turned into a veritable witch hunt against black people.
Open an independent investigation into human rights violations and roundups targeting Black Mauritanians.
The group insists on the need for a fair and human rights-respecting policy, in order to put an end to the discriminatory practices that persist in the country.