Mauritanian Civil Security Delegation Visits Monaco to Bolster 25-Year Partnership

Strengthening a Quarter-Century Alliance

A high-level delegation of Mauritanian civil security officials concluded a working visit to the Principality of Monaco from December 15 to 19, 2025. The visit underscored a robust 25-year partnership between the two nations, focused on enhancing cooperation in safety and security. The collaboration, recently renewed through 2027, aims to further develop Mauritania's emergency response capabilities through Monegasque expertise.

Led by Brigadier General Abou EL MAALY EL HADY SIDI OULD AMAR, Mauritania's General Delegate for Civil Security and Crisis Management, the delegation engaged in a comprehensive program. This included examining advanced firefighting techniques, participating in equipment demonstrations, and observing intervention exercises conducted by Monaco's Fire Brigade. A particular emphasis was placed on strategies for addressing structural fire challenges, prevention, tactical coordination, and managing air quality during enclosed-space fires, areas where Monaco possesses recognized expertise.

High-Level Discussions and Future Prospects

During their stay, Brigadier General Abou EL MAALY EL HADY SIDI OULD AMAR held significant meetings with key Monegasque government officials. These included Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Monaco's Minister of External Relations and Cooperation, and Lionel Beffre, the Minister of Interior. Discussions centered on identifying and developing future joint actions to address shared challenges in crisis management and civil security.

The enduring partnership is supported by Monaco's International Cooperation Directorate and benefits from the specialized knowledge of Colonel Varo, Superior Commander of Monaco's Public Force, and the technical guidance of Lieutenant-Colonel Yvrard from Monaco's Fire Brigade. On-the-ground coordination in Mauritania is facilitated by Aly Gueladio Kamara, Monaco's Consul in the country.

Tangible Achievements of Long-Standing Cooperation

Over the past 25 years, the cooperation between Monaco and Mauritania has yielded substantial results. Key achievements include:

• The construction of three emergency stations in Nouakchott, Mauritania's capital, effectively doubling the city's emergency coverage.
• The establishment of a sea rescue brigade dedicated to beach surveillance and lifesaving operations.
• The creation of a team of 14 local trainers in Mauritania, enabling the internalization of initial training programs for new recruits and reducing reliance on external expertise.
• Significant strengthening of Mauritania's disaster response capabilities through donations of essential equipment and materials.

This collaboration, which began in 1996, extends beyond civil security into broader areas such as health and education, demonstrating Monaco's commitment to building local capacity rather than fostering dependency. The renewed partnership through 2027 signals a mutual desire to continue this technical exchange, with a planned visit by a Monegasque fire brigade delegation to Mauritania in 2026.