The blog post provides an overview of the impact that the Malian crisis has had on Hodh el Gharbi and the ongoing effects for the transhumance corridor in the Malian regions of Kayes, Koulikoro (cercle of Nara) and Ségou.

While the international community is more focused on illicit trafficking, populations from both Mali and Mauritania continue to exchange basic commodities, livestock and other essential goods on a daily basis. However, these activities and the people in the border regions between the countries have been severely affected by the growing insecurity associated with the 2012 Malian crisis. This crisis has prompted a change in commercial and transhumance routes forcing both traders and locals to adapt. As the security situation has worsened, factors such as long-standing family ties, economic dynamism (trade and pastoralism) and religious networks (Hamallism)—all areas where both states exercise little or no control—contribute to the resilience of small-scale farmers, herders and other vulnerable groups.

Because of the current security situation in Mali, populations have been forced to adapt their behaviours. For example, according to interviews conducted with young Mauritanians from Aïoun el Atrouss, cultural exchanges are now very limited—if not non-existent—with one interview subject stating, ‘There were cultural exchanges between young people of Nioro and young people of Aïoun el Atrouss.

Bi-annual meetings took place and alternated between the cities. Football matches were organized as well as theatre activities. These activities were a powerful means of integration. Since the crisis, all these activities have been abandoned. Their minds and means are elsewhere.’ 

The entire economies of the border regions are being reorganized. For example, merchants no longer travel at night.

According to a herder in Kobenni: ‘Since the emergence of the problems in Mali, we have to stay together in camps, which increases the pressure on grazing areas and water. We also need to receive the blessing of the village chief in return for something’. Another herder pointed out that, ‘travel permits which used to be an optional formality are now mandatory. Arrival areas and corridors are organized. Campers tend to spend as little time as possible in Mali. All operations are carefully planned: getting food from an urban center or an itinerant market, carrying cattle feed and even the crossing. Everywhere and at any time, campers may be caught in a scam or could be robbed.’ 

Mauritanian authorities have taken measures to increase the security of people and goods as well as to combat cross-border crime. In addition to creating fixed border crossing points, mobile patrols have been deployed along the border, all entrances and exits are monitored and each border station is equipped with a biometric registration system linked to a national database. 

As part of Mauritania’s border management, authorities in the Hodh El Gharbi region exchange and coordinate activities with their Malian counterparts. Consequently, nomadic transhumance farmers are followed along the border until they cross, in order to ensure that the security along on the corridor is maintained. 

Although those who live in the cross-border regions of Mali and Mauritania have strong historic ties, insecurity has had significant consequences on their daily lives. Thus, transhumance farmers have to use authorized corridors and border crossing points which are supposed to be safe. Exchanges of goods and commercial activities continue and provide employment opportunities. However, prices have risen considerably, while security incidents have an impact on the cross-border flow of goods. The border crossing point at Gogui is described as a ‘small informal economic hub’ where income-generating activities—including for border officials—and black-market monetary transactions take place. 

Yet, insecurity has a high cost for the populations and due to the potential security risks, prices have substantially increased. 

At the crossroads of North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, Mauritania is historically a country of migration and transit. Despite old cultural and commercial links, the Malian crisis has had a strong impact on populations in the Hodh El Gharbi region. Transhumance routes are now organized in order to ensure the security of herders and their animals. Although trade is still flourishing, prices have increased and the risks of armed attacks have a significant impact on trade. However, cultural and religious connections and family ties help populations to cope with the situation. As part of SIPRI’s Sahel and West Africa Programme, the G5 Sahel research project has monitored and documented the economic dynamics at the local levels in order to provide evidence-based analysis that can help stakeholders and international actors to maximize the impacts of their interventions.