The importance of ethnic and religious structures in the region of Sahel: Socio-political and security dimensions. The case study of Mauritania
The importance of ethnic and religious structures in the region of Sahel: Socio-political and security dimensions. The case study of Mauritania

Summary/Abstract: This article aims to underline the importance of ethnic and religious structures for both animating and understanding political and security dynamic in the region, based on the example of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. The first part of the article aims to identify sociopolitical factors influencing the security situation in the country and beyond, in sometimes surprising ways, with the main emphases on the importance of ethnic and religious structures and the role of political Islam. The second part of the article provides an exemplification of the multiple, not always coordinated, security initiatives in the region, that Mauritania is aspiring successfully to play lining role in, partly thanks to its complex understanding of security resulting from its unique social structure.

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