Mauritania has rejected allegations by the Malian Armed Forces that two Malian soldiers escaped from a refugee camp on its territory, describing the claims as “unfounded” and “offensive.”
Mali’s General Staff said the soldiers, captured by terrorist groups in October 2025, fled during the night of March 13–14 from a camp before returning to Mali.
The soldiers—Private First Class Mohamed Wangaraba and Private First Class Mahamed El Maouloud Diallo—were later recovered in Goundam after Malian military operations near the border, particularly in the Wagadou Forest.
In response, Mauritania’s Foreign Ministry said it learned of the claims with “astonishment and indignation,” firmly denying that terrorist groups could be operating inside the M’Berra refugee camp, which hosts tens of thousands of refugees under the supervision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Authorities in Nouakchott stressed that the camp is regularly monitored by humanitarian organizations and accessible to Malian officials, calling the accusations damaging to relations between the two countries.
Despite expressing disappointment, Mauritania said it remains committed to dialogue with Bamako to avoid further tensions and preserve cooperation in an already fragile Sahel security environment.
