Terrorist attack hits already-fragile economy

Alleged terrorist attacks on 14 September in Tourine in the northeast killed 11 soldiers and their civilian guide, confirmed Mauritania’s newly-installed defence ministry on 20 September. Analysts say the economy can ill-afford this additional blow in the face of donor sanction threats. The European Union (EU), US government and World Bank have suspended, or threaten to cut, more than US$500 million in non-humanitarian aid in condemnation of the 6 August military takeover and continued detention of President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi. Economist Isselmou Ould Mohamed with the World Bank-funded non-profit Association for the Exchange of Economic Information told IRIN the attacks add to mounting pressure faced by Mauritania’s aid-dependent economy. “Mauritania needs international dollars for its roads, hospitals, and public works.” Based on World Bank 2007 figures, 67 percent of Mauritania’s public spending is financed by international donors.

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