The Governor of Senegal’s Saint-Louis Region has sought to quell rising anxieties following the circulation of videos and voice messages alleging the construction of a Mauritanian border post on Senegalese soil. Authorities in Senegal have affirmed that the project is entirely within Mauritanian territory, in accordance with the officially recognized border demarcation.
The concerns, widely shared on social media, centered on a planned Mauritanian control post near the Goxu Mbathie neighborhood. Reports suggested the infrastructure was being built on land claimed by Senegal, prompting local tensions. Responding to the unrest, the Governor of Saint-Louis requested clarification from the National Border Management Commission, according to an official statement.
Following an on-site assessment, the Commission concluded that the construction is taking place within Mauritania, respecting the established border between the two nations. A map illustrating the official border demarcation was provided to the Governor to support this finding. The map, the statement detailed, clearly places the project outside Senegal’s territorial limits.
The Governor presented this cartographic evidence to representatives from the Goxu Mbathie community during a formal audience. The stated aim of the meeting was to dispel misunderstandings and encourage the dissemination of accurate information, thereby preventing Senegalese citizens from becoming involved in a project belonging to another state.
The Governor urged residents to remain calm and exercise restraint, explicitly calling on them to refrain from any hostile actions. Administrative authorities have also reiterated their willingness to address any concerns raised by the public.
This clarification comes at a sensitive time regarding border issues, where the rapid spread of unverified information can quickly escalate tensions. Regional authorities are prioritizing transparency and dialogue to prevent further escalation and maintain stability in the area, which is near the mouth of the Senegal River and 320 kilometers north of Dakar, Senegal’s capital city. Saint-Louis itself served as the capital of French Senegal from 1673 to 1902 and, later, of French West Africa and Mauritania until 1957.
Mauritania is also reportedly considering establishing a police post opposite a gas platform located in Saint-Louis, Senegal, adding another layer to the security considerations in the region.
