Mauritania Travel Risk

Reconsider travel to Mauritania due to terrorism, crime, and limited health infrastructure. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

• The U.S. government has limited ability to offer emergency services to American citizens in Mauritania due to safety risks.
• U.S. government employees working in Mauritania are not allowed to travel outside Nouakchott at night. They cannot walk alone outside of specific areas and times.
• U.S. government employees working in Mauritania need special authorization to travel outside Nouakchott.
• American citizens in Mauritania are advised to take similar precautions.

Crime

Violent crimes occur frequently outside the Tevragh Zeina neighborhoods in Nouakchott. This includes mugging, armed robbery, and assault. Local police lack the resources to respond quickly and effectively to serious crimes.

Transportation options and communication infrastructure are limited outside Nouakchott. Crimes may happen with little or no warning, targeting tourist places. Crimes often happen at night and include kidnapping, assault, and armed robbery.

Do Not Travel to areas marked off-limits by the Mauritanian military. These areas are unsafe due to security risks and terrorist activities.

• All areas north of the Tropic of Cancer
• All areas within 60 miles of the Mali and Algeria border

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice.

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Eastern Mauritania

FCDO advises against all travel to areas east of a line drawn between but excluding the towns of Kankossa, Akhreijit, Ghallaouia, Zouerat, Fderîck and onwards west to the border with Western Sahara.

Mauritania-Mali border

FCDO advises against all travel to areas within 25km of the Malian border in the south, including Khabou.

Mauritania-Western Sahara border

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 25km of the Western Sahara border, excluding the section of the Nouakchott-Nouadhibou road and the city of Nouadhibou.

Tiris Zemmour, Adrar, Tagant, Hodh el Gharbi, Assaba, Gorgol and Guidimaka provinces

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the province of Tiris Zemmour, Assaba, Hodh el Gharbi, Gorgol and Guidimaka, and areas of Adrar and Tagant provinces, west of a line drawn between the towns of Ghallaouia, Akhreijit and Kankossa. This excludes:

• the areas west of a line running between Choum, Ouadane and where the 10th Meridian West meets latitude 18° 40°
• the town of Ouadane
• the Tidjikja-Tichit road
• the Aleg to Tidjikja road via Moudjeria and all areas of Tagant west of that road
• the Bogue to Kaedi road via Bababe

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Mauritania

Terrorist attacks in Mauritania cannot be ruled out.

Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

Political situation

Demonstrations can happen at any time in Nouakchott. You should avoid political gatherings and demonstrations and follow the advice of local authorities and security forces. Maintain adequate stocks of non-perishable food and water.

Crime

Crime levels are moderate but steadily increasing.

There have been burglaries in areas where foreign nationals live and robberies during daylight.

There have been thefts and robberies at knifepoint during the day and night on the unlit and isolated beaches in Nouakchott and in the ‘Le Cinquième’, ‘Dar Naim’ and Citè Plage districts. Be particularly careful in these places.

Report crime to the police by dialling 117 or visiting a police station.

This section has safety advice for regions of Mauritania. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Eastern Mauritania

FCDO advises against all travel to areas east of a line drawn between but excluding the towns of Kankossa, Akhreijit, Ghallaouia, Zouerat, Fderîck and onwards west to the border with Western Sahara.

FCDO advises against all travel because of designated “military zones” by the Mauritanian military. These areas are off-limits to foreign nationals and most civilians. The Mauritanian Ministry of Defence warned that individuals entering these areas would be treated as a military target. The boundaries of such zones frequently change and authorisation from authorities is needed for access.

These zones are due to the deterioration of the security situation in Mali leading to increased risks of incursions by terrorist groups based in Mali into Mauritanian territory, including Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM). Serious organised crime groups operate in eastern Mauritania.

Mauritania-Mali border

FCDO advises against all travel to areas within 25km of the Malian border in the south of Mauritania, including Khabou. There is increased terrorist and serious organised crime activity across the border in Kayes Region in Mali.

Mauritania-Western Sahara border

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 25km of the Western Sahara border, excluding the section of the Nouakchott-Nouadhibou road and the city of Nouadhibou.

Unexploded landmines remain on the border with Western Sahara. Landmines can shift location due to weather conditions. You should check local advice before travelling.

Tiris Zemmour, Adrar, Tagant, Hodh el Gharbi, Assaba and Guidimaka provinces

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the province of Tiris Zemmour, Assaba, Hodh el Gharbi, Gorgol and Guidimaka, and areas of Adrar and Tagant provinces, west of a line drawn between the towns of Ghallaouia, Akhreijit and Kankossa. This excludes:

• the areas west of a line running between Choum, Ouadane and where the 10th Meridian West meets latitude 18° 40°
• the town of Ouadane
• the Tidjikja-Tichit road
• the Aleg to Tidjikja road via Moudjeria and all areas of Tagant west of that road
• the Bogue to Kaedi road via Bababe

This is due to risks of instability extending from eastern Mauritania as a result of the conflict in Mali, including from organised crime.

Risk level

MAURITANIA - AVOID NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL

Avoid non-essential travel to Mauritania due to the threat of terrorism, particularly against Western interests.

Regional risks

Northern and eastern Mauritania - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to the following areas due to the risk of banditry, kidnapping and the presence of prohibited military zones:

• northern and eastern Mauritania, especially: all of the following regions: Tiris Zemmour Hodh El Gharbi Hodh Ech Chargui

• east of the Zouerate-Ouadane-Tidjikdja-Kiffa-Sélibali line in the following regions: Adrar Tagant Assaba Guidimakha

• areas within 25 km of the northern borders, west of the Zouerate-Ouadane-Tidjikdja-Kiffa-Sélibali line.

Northern and eastern Mauritania

Extremist groups and armed smugglers are active in Mauritania’s northern and eastern areas and there is a high risk of banditry and kidnapping. Armed rebels are active in the northern area beyond the Oualata–Tichit–Ouadane–Zouérat line. Attacks and thefts of personal belongings and vehicles have occurred.

Military zone

The Defense Ministry of Mauritania has established a military zone in the north-east of the country where civilian access is forbidden. The military zone is located between Cheggat in the north-east, Ain Bentili in the north-west, Dhar Tichitt in the south-west and Lemreyye in the south-east. The Mauritanian Minister of Defense has publicly warned that any individual who enters the area will be treated as a military target.

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorism. Targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Western interests may be particularly targeted.

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places.

Stay at hotels that have robust security measures, however, keep in mind that even the most secure locations can’t be considered completely free of risk.

Mauritania’s borders in the Sahel region are porous, and terrorists operate in those border regions and the interior.

毛里塔尼亚风险等级为蓝色（低风险）