Mali–Mauritania relations

Mali–Mauritania relations refer to the interstate relations of the Republic of Mali and the Mauritania.

Mali–Mauritania relations

Mali	Mauritania

History

Since Mauritania negotiated a boundary dispute with Mali in 1963, ties between the two countries have been mostly cordial.^[1] Mali and Mauritania have cooperated on several development projects, such as the OMVS and a plan to improve roads between Nouakchott and Bamako.^[1] This cooperation somewhat lessened Mali's dependence on Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire.^[1] Although relations were warm with other African states, since 1965 the orientation of Mauritania's foreign policy has been geared towards relations with North African countries.^[1]

Border crisis

Mauritanian and Malian relations arose in 2010, when French and Mauritanian forces launched a joint military operation against AQIM fighters believed to be holding a French hostage on Malian soil without the consent of the Malian government. The operation was a failure and left 7 AQIM members and 2 Mauritanian soldiers dead, with the hostage being executed. The operation was heavily criticized with it being considered to be an "unannounced declaration of war" against Mali.^[2]

Current status