Pivot to Nouakchott

In North Africa’s evolving geopolitical landscape, renewed great power competition highlights the importance of cultivating and sustaining local partnerships in response to shifting regional dynamics. In this context, Mauritania stands out as a particularly relevant case. Often overlooked, this nation of five million of inhabitants lies at the strategic crossroads of the Maghreb, the Sahel, and West Africa, a position that has recently gained greater prominence.

Recent developments are making Mauritania as an increasingly important actor in a region where major powers compete per influence. The institutional vacuum, driven by structural weaknesses and the spread of terrorist groups, has paved the way for deeper Russian involvement, particularly in the Sahel, where the gradual withdrawal of several Western states has become a recurring trend. From a Western perspective, Moscow’s growing presence, through both diplomatic channels and mercenary forces like the Afrika Corps, is viewed as a destabilising influence.

Notably, Mauritania has so far remained largely untouched by Russian influence, despite operating in a region marked by tense dynamics, chiefly the longstanding diplomatic rift between Algeria and Morocco. As a result, NATO has shown growing interest in Nouakchott, culminating recently in a major defence capacity-building initiative that drew public attention during the official visit of Czech Republic President Petr Pavel to Mauritania in early April.

Earlier this year, a two-year training mission for the Mauritanian military began following approval by the Czech Parliament. The deployment of up to 30 Czech special forces operators is part of a NATO military cooperation programme with Nouakchott. This marks the return of Czech forces to the region after their participation in the European Task Force Takuba in Mali, which was wound down following the withdrawal of French troops.

According to Gen. Miroslav Hofírek, Director of the Czech Special Forces, Czech troops will be responsible for training and advising their Mauritanian counterparts, contributing to the creation of a Mauritanian special forces unit. Counterterrorism remains the primary objective in preserving Mauritania’s stability in a region characterised by widespread jihadist insurgency. However, strategic competition with China, and particularly Russia, remains a key concern for Czech defence planners, in line with NATO’s latest strategic concept.

Additional factors likely contributed to NATO’s pivot toward Nouakchott, particularly the launch of production at the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) offshore gas field. The site is operated by a joint venture compromising British Petroleum, Kosmos Energy, Société pétrolière du Senegal, and Société Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures. Following significant delays, the first cargo of liquified natural gas was loaded in April 2025, marking a key milestone in Mauritania’s ambition to become a net exporter of natural gas.

Given the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine and growing doubts over the energy transition following the recent change in US leadership, natural gas is likely to remain a key component of the energy mix in Western countries, especially within the EU. Strategic infrastructure projects such as the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas field will play a significant role in this context, despite operational hurdles and persistent regional tensions across the Maghreb.