VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNK #0798/01 3480744
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 140744Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8955
INFO RUEILB/NCTC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

UNCLAS NOUAKCHOTT 000798 
 
SIPDIS 
 
S/CT: RHONDA SHORE AND NCTC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER ASEC MR
SUBJECT: MAURITANIA: 2009 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM 
 
REF: A. STATE 109980 
     ¶B. SECSTATE 122733 
 
¶1.  (U)  Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) represented 
the primary terrorist threat to Mauritania.  After two 
attacks in late December 2007 and two others in 2008, 
including the February attack against the Israeli embassy and 
the September Tourine attack that cost the lives of 11 
soldiers and their civilian guide, AQIM significantly 
increased its level of activity and severity of attacks.  In 
2009: 
 
- On November 29, three Spanish aid workers traveling in a 
caravan from Nouadhibou to Nouakchott were kidnapped by 
gunmen in an attack claimed by AQIM. 
 
- On June 23, American citizen Christopher Leggett was 
murdered by two gunmen upon arriving at his workplace in 
Nouakchott.  AQIM claimed responsibility for the murder, 
stating Leggett was targeted for Christian proselytizing 
activities. 
 
- On August 8, a suicide bomber affiliated with AQIM 
detonated his explosive belt next to the French Embassy 
compound in Nouakchott.  There were no fatalities other than 
the attacker.  This marks the first suicide bomber attack in 
the history of the country. 
 
¶2.  (U)  The lawless eastern and northern regions of 
Mauritania were a haven for smugglers and terrorists.  The 
porous borders with Algeria, Mali, and Western Sahara posed 
ongoing challenges for the ill-equipped and poorly funded 
Mauritanian security services.  In the case of the Leggett 
murder and the suicide bomber attack, terrorists entered 
Mauritania from outside the country with the sole intention 
of carrying out operations.  Through the year, there were 
specific threats against U.S. interests and citizens in 
Mauritania. 
 
¶3.  (U)  The August 6, 2008 coup d'etat against 
democratically elected President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi 
resulted in the suspension of all U.S. government 
non-humanitarian assistance, including most military 
cooperation and counterterrorism training to the junta-led 
government.  Constitutional order was restored eleven months 
after the coup following Abdallahi's resignation and the 
naming of a transitional government of national unity that 
led the country to presidential elections on July 18, won by 
Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and recognized by the international 
community.  The U.S. government re-initiated its military 
cooperation with the newly formed Mauritanian government in 
September.  Programs focusing on counterterrorism include the 
Counterterrorism Fellowship Program and Special Forces 
Training of Military CT units under the Joint Combined 
Exercise Training Program.  Prior to the coup, the U.S. 
provided counterterrorism training to two Mauritanian units 
and now plans to continue strengthening military capacity. 
 
¶4.  (U)  In response to the increased terrorist threat in 
Mauritania, the government strengthened roadblocks and road 
security.  In November, authorities announced the creation of 
a new Road Security Agency in charge of monitoring terrorist 
activity and all forms of trafficking in Mauritanian roads. 
The government has consistently exhibited a willingness to 
cooperate with the U.S. to prevent and deter future acts of 
terrorism.  Mauritanian authorities have been highly 
responsive to U.S. requests for security support, both for 
routine operations as well as special events, despite 
security forces' somewhat limited means.  American security 
officials enjoy open access to their Mauritanian 
counterparts.  Also, although the new government does not yet 
have a formal strategy to counter extremism, it has 
demonstrated a willingness to assist the U.S. in implementing 
counter-extremism programs. 
 
¶5.  (U)  The Mauritanian government has displayed a 
willingness to both investigate and apprehend individuals 
involved in acts of terrorism against U.S. citizens or 
interests, as shown by the arrest of the entire terrorist 
cell responsible for planning and executing the Leggett 
murder.  Two members of the cell were apprehended on July 17 
and the remaining members were taken into custody mere days 
later.  The government has stated its intention to try these 
individuals. 
 
¶6.  (U)  As of December 31, the Mauritanian government held 
in custody approximately 66 terrorist suspects. 
Approximately thirteen of them have already been prosecuted 
and sentenced.  In July, the Nouakchott court condemned Abdel 
Jelil Ould Biye and Teyeb Ould Saleck, two terrorists who 
participated in the 2005 Lemgheity attack, to eight and seven 
years respectively.  In November, the government of Senegal 
extradited to Mauritania three Mauritanians allegedly 
implicated in the August 8 suicide bomber attack against the 
French Embassy. 
 
¶7.  (U)  In order to improve regional coordination in the 
fight against terrorism, Mauritania participated in an August 
12 meeting in Tamanrasset (Algeria) with chiefs of staff from 
Algeria, Mali, and Niger to draft a counterterrorism strategy 
for the Sahara.  According to the agreement, Mauritania will 
deploy 4,000 soldiers to secure its borders with Mali and 
Algeria.  Mauritania has a strong bilateral military and 
counterterrorism cooperation with France. 
 
¶8.  (U)  Point of contact: Nitza Sola-Rotger, Political 
Officer, sola-rotgern@state.gov,  222.525.2660 extension 4404 
 
 
 
BOULWARE