Nouakchott has entered into an agreement to provide Dakar with 450,000 sheep, addressing the significant shortfall in livestock traditionally supplied by neighboring countries. This increased reliance on Mauritanian sources stems directly from the escalating insecurity in Mali, which historically served as a major provider of livestock to Senegal.
Beyond Senegal, Mauritania is also expected to fulfill a portion of Côte d’Ivoire’s sheep requirements for the upcoming Tabaski celebration. This need similarly arises from the challenging sub-regional security environment impacting traditional supply chains.
Alioune Kane, a technical expert with the National Grouping of Pastoral Associations (GNAP), clarified the situation, stating, “We’ve seen the renewal of an existing protocol. Typically, Mauritanian herders export between 460,000 and 500,000 sheep to Senegal. However, this year, that contingent is set to increase due to the persistent insecurity in Mali,” a territory previously used by herders from eastern Mauritania to reach Senegal.
Kane further reported that numerous Mauritanian herders have already entered Senegalese territory, making their way towards Dakar and other major urban centers across the nation. He emphasized that the Senegalese government has pledged to implement all necessary security, administrative, customs, and sanitary measures to ensure the smooth execution of the Tabaski operation.
Baba Hassan Sidi, a GNAP representative in the Néma region, reminisced about a time when “there was no insecurity in Mali, and Mauritanian herders from the Néma and Aïoun regions would simply transit through that territory to enter Senegal.”
For this year’s journey, herders are compelled to utilize an alternative, safer route to reach Senegal. This involves a river crossing from the Trarza region to enter Senegalese territory. This new corridor significantly extends the truck journey for livestock originating from Mauritania’s eastern regions.
Sidi underscored that many herders are already present in Senegal, operating under an agreement that reflects the long-standing, centuries-old relationship between the peoples of Mauritania and Senegal.