Geopolitical Challenges of Border Surveillance: Navigating Limited Resources Across Expansive Territories – The Case of Mauritania
By Adnane KAAB, Analyst in international strategy, geopolitics and prospective, graduated from IRIS SUP Paris.
Border security in regions with vast, sparsely populated territories poses a complex challenge, particularly when these areas are vulnerable to external pressures and regional instability.
Mauritania, strategically located in the Sahel-Sahara region, faces this dilemma in the face of growing transnational threats, including terrorism, trafficking, and illegal migration. Its porous borders with neighboring countries, notably Algeria, Mali, Morocco and Senegal, further complicate efforts to maintain effective surveillance and control.
Recent events, such as the incursions by the Algerian Army into Mauritanian territory in December 2024, have drawn attention to the fragility of Mauritania’s border security apparatus. These incursions, which sparked national security concerns, underscored the challenges Mauritania faces in defending its territorial integrity against external threats while managing internal security vulnerabilities.
In response to these growing challenges, Mauritania has taken significant steps to enhance its border control by establishing 82 mandatory border crossings, including the Es-Smara-Bir Moghrein route, which is now officially recognized as one of the international crossings. This strategic move aims to strengthen border surveillance and security by providing more controlled points of entry and improving monitoring along its porous borders.
Mauritania’s geographical expanse and limited resources constrain its ability to implement comprehensive border surveillance, leaving vast stretches of desert difficult to monitor. The situation is exacerbated by the country’s reliance on international partnerships for military support and technological assistance, raising questions about the balance between cooperation and sovereignty. This paper explores these issues, analyzing the geopolitical and operational challenges Mauritania faces in securing its borders, the role of external actors such as the United Arab Emirates, and the broader implications for regional stability. It aims to offer insights into the complexities of managing border security in regions where territorial disputes and resource limitations intersect.
Mauritania’s geographical position is both a source of strength and a challenge. Situated at the crossroad of the Sahel and the Sahara, the country is bordered by Mali to the east 2,000 km border which connects it to the Sahel, offering opportunities for regional integration but also exposing it to the threat of terrorism prevalent in the area. The 500 km border with Algeria to the northeast leads directly to the Tindouf camps, a hub for various forms of trafficking. Meanwhile, its 1,600 km border with Morocco to the northwest, 500 km with Senegal to southwest, and 750 km of Atlantic coastline provide vital access to land and sea routes, fostering trade opportunities that appear more stable and promising by comparison. The country’s extensive borders, which stretch over 5,000 kilometers, encompass vast desert and semi-arid regions, making effective border surveillance a significant challenge. In recent developments, the region has seen increasing instability, highlighted by the December 2024 incursions of the Algerian Army into Mauritanian territory, exacerbating concerns about national sovereignty and border security.
Mauritania’s geopolitical position, sandwiched between key regional players such as Algeria, Morocco, and Mali, places it at the intersection of multiple security threats, including terrorism, trafficking, and illegal migration. To address these challenges, Mauritania has allocated a substantial portion of its military resources to border security. The country maintains an estimated 30,000-40,000 active-duty personnel within its armed forces, with a significant number assigned to border surveillance and protection. This allocation, however, is strained by resource limitations, with Mauritania’s defense budget hovering around 2.5% of GDP. Despite international assistance, including aid and training from regional partners, the country faces difficulties in maintaining adequate personnel and technological resources for comprehensive border control. The financial constraints, combined with the vastness of its borders, underscore the ongoing difficulty Mauritania faces in achieving effective territorial surveillance and security.
Security Challenges
Mauritania faces significant security challenges due to its strategic location in the Sahel-Sahara region, where key threats such as terrorism, trafficking (drugs, arms, and humans), and illegal migration are rampant. Extremist groups, including Al-Qaeda affiliates, exploit the porous borders with Mali, Algeria, and Morocco, further destabilizing the region. The impact of regional instability is exacerbated by cross-border dynamics, where militant activity and organized crime spill over into Mauritania’s territory. Recent incursions by the Algerian Army underscore the vulnerability of Mauritania’s borders, highlighting geopolitical tensions that further complicate security efforts. Additionally, Mauritania’s current border surveillance capabilities are limited by technological, financial, and human resource gaps. Despite deploying significant military personnel to secure borders, the vast desert terrain and lack of advanced surveillance technology hinder effective monitoring. These challenges require innovative, sustainable approaches to border security, balancing national sovereignty with regional cooperation.
Role of Regional and International Actors
Regional and international actors play a pivotal role in shaping Mauritania’s border security landscape. The UAE has emerged as a key partner, providing military aid and advanced surveillance technology to enhance Mauritania’s border management capabilities. Similarly, Morocco, with its strategic location and extensive experience in counterterrorism and border security, offers valuable support, including intelligence-sharing and operational expertise. However, these collaborations are not without challenges. Algeria, a regional rival to Morocco, views Mauritania’s growing ties with Rabat and other external actors with suspicion, seeing them as a threat to its own influence in the Sahel. This rivalry fuels geopolitical tensions, as Algeria seeks to assert its presence through actions like the recent border incursions. While international aid strengthens Mauritania’s capacity, it also risks creating dependency, raising concerns about the erosion of national sovereignty. Balancing the benefits of external support with the need to maintain autonomy is critical for Mauritania. Moreover, navigating the rivalry between Morocco and Algeria requires diplomatic finesse to avoid becoming a battleground for competing regional interests. By carefully managing these partnerships, Mauritania can leverage international and regional expertise to enhance its security while safeguarding its sovereignty in a highly competitive geopolitical environment.
In summary, Mauritania’s border security challenges are shaped by regional instability, limited resources, and external influences. While international and regional partnerships offer crucial support, they also carry risks of dependency and geopolitical rivalry. On the second part will explore potential strategies for strengthening Mauritania’s border security while maintaining national sovereignty.
Strategic Solutions and Recommendations
Strengthening Internal Capacities
Enhancing Mauritania’s border security requires significant investment in technology, capacity building, and community engagement.
Advanced technologies such as drones, satellite monitoring, and integrated border management systems can provide real-time surveillance over vast desert terrains, improving response times and reducing blind spots.
Additionally, training and equipping security personnel specifically for operations in remote desert areas are essential. Specialized units could be developed to operate effectively in challenging environments, ensuring greater mobility and resilience.
Mauritania has recently taken a significant step toward improving border control by establishing 82 mandatory border crossing points, including 20 international and 62 bilateral crossings with neighboring countries. This move reinforces the idea that expanding and formalizing border crossings is key to better surveillance and control, rather than leaving vast stretches of the frontier unmonitored. The policy shift aligns with the approach advocated in this article: strategic management of border points enhances security and stability.
Community involvement is equally critical. Local communities, such as the Bidhan, Haratin, and Toucouleur in regions like Adrar, Tiris Zemmour, and Hodh Ech Chargui, possess invaluable knowledge of the terrain, which can significantly enhance intelligence-gathering efforts. Engaging these communities through partnerships and incentivized programs can build trust and encourage collaboration with security forces. For example, community watch initiatives in border villages could serve as an early warning system for detecting suspicious activities.
By leveraging technology, enhancing personnel capabilities, and fostering local partnerships, Mauritania can address key gaps in its border security framework. These measures not only improve immediate operational effectiveness but also foster a long-term security strategy rooted in collaboration and innovation, ultimately reducing reliance on external actors and strengthening national sovereignty.
Enhancing Regional and International Cooperation
Mauritania’s border security challenges demand robust regional and international collaboration. Strengthening bilateral agreements with neighboring countries is essential, particularly with Morocco, whose expertise in intelligence-sharing, operational training, and advanced border technologies can complement Mauritania’s efforts. A structured partnership could include joint training programs for border security personnel and shared use of surveillance tools like drones and integrated management systems to improve efficiency across shared borders.
Mauritania has recently formalized 82 official border crossings, including 20 international points, to improve security coordination and border management. Among them, the Es-Smara – Bir Moghrein crossing stands out as a strategic point for trade and movement. This regulation marks a shift toward more structured and cooperative border governance, reinforcing the need for enhanced bilateral and regional coordination.
International support also plays a vital role. Mauritania can leverage aid and expertise from partners such as the UAE, EU, and UN to enhance technical capabilities and infrastructure. For instance, funding from the EU could be directed toward modernizing border posts, while UN-backed initiatives could focus on capacity-building programs for security forces. However, these collaborations must be carefully managed to avoid over-reliance and ensure Mauritania retains full control over its security strategies.
Further integration into regional frameworks, such as expanding Mauritania’s role in the G5 Sahel, provides opportunities for joint operations and intelligence-sharing to combat cross-border threats like terrorism and trafficking. Closer coordination with Morocco on counterterrorism strategies could also enhance regional stability, given Morocco’s established capabilities in this domain. By balancing internal priorities with external partnerships, Mauritania can address immediate security concerns while fostering a collaborative approach to long-term border and regional stability.
Socioeconomic Development as a Stabilization Tool
Beyond security concerns, socioeconomic development plays a vital role in stabilizing Mauritania’s border regions. Investing in infrastructure, such as roads and communication networks, can improve accessibility and facilitate better surveillance and security operations. However, not all regional initiatives have yielded the expected results. Algeria’s ambitious Tindouf-Zouerate corridor, announced with much enthusiasm in December 2021, was intended to strengthen economic ties with Mauritania but has since struggled to materialize, hindered by logistical and geopolitical challenges.
In contrast, Morocco has taken concrete steps to enhance regional trade and connectivity. The construction of a second commercial border crossing linking Es-Smara to Bir Moghrein—now designated as an international border point—illustrates Morocco’s pragmatic approach to facilitating regional trade. The RN17 and RN17B roads, connecting Es-Smara to the Mauritanian border and spanning 93 km, are now over 95% complete. This corridor is part of the Royal Atlantic Initiative, which aims to provide landlocked Sahelian countries with efficient access to Atlantic trade routes. By ensuring the smooth movement of goods and people, this infrastructure fosters economic resilience, reinforces Mauritania’s regional integration, and promotes stability in border regions.
Development projects focused on poverty reduction and addressing the root causes of insecurity are essential for fostering long-term stability. By creating economic opportunities in remote border areas, Mauritania can reduce the appeal of criminal and extremist activities. Additionally, programs aimed at promoting trust and cooperation between the state and marginalized communities will strengthen local engagement in security efforts. Building these relationships encourages information-sharing and community-driven initiatives, which enhance the effectiveness of border control measures. In this way, socioeconomic development not only addresses immediate security threats but also contributes to sustainable peace and national cohesion.
In conclusion, strengthening Mauritania’s border security requires a balanced approach that integrates technological investment, regional cooperation, and socioeconomic development. By enhancing internal capabilities, fostering regional partnerships, and addressing underlying social issues, Mauritania can build a more resilient and sovereign security framework to effectively manage its borders.
In conclusion, it follows from the above that Mauritania’s border security challenges are deeply intertwined with regional instability, limited resources, and external geopolitical dynamics. While international partnerships and technological advancements play a crucial role, the country must also focus on strengthening internal capacities and fostering structured regional cooperation.
The recent designation of 82 official border crossings, including 20 international points, reflects a strategic shift toward enhanced border control. This decision aligns with broader efforts—such as the development of the Es-Smara–Bir Moghrein corridor and Morocco’s Atlantic Initiative—which emphasize the critical role of infrastructure in stabilizing border areas.
By investing in border management systems, regional partnerships, and socioeconomic development, Mauritania can strengthen its sovereignty while effectively addressing emerging security threats. A comprehensive, multi-layered strategy, integrating technological innovation, local community engagement, and cross-border cooperation, will be key to securing its borders and mitigating the complex security threats in the Sahel-Sahara region.
However, as regional dynamics continue to evolve, Mauritania will need to adapt its strategy to new geopolitical shifts, technological advancements, and changing migration patterns. The challenge ahead lies not only in securing its borders but also in transforming them into vectors of economic growth and regional integration, ensuring long-term stability in an increasingly interconnected Sahel.
