The first workshop, held in Sélibabi, gathered participants from the regions of Gorgol and Guidimakha in Mauritania and Tambacounda and Kédougou in Senegal. Over four days, discussions covered important topics such as drug consumption, integrated border management, and the challenges posed by drug trafficking. The sessions delved into the effects of drug use on local communities, prevention and treatment mechanisms, and strategies for detecting and combating trafficking. The workshop also highlighted the importance of effective cooperation between Mauritanian and Senegalese authorities to address these challenges in a cross-border context.
During these workshops, participants issued several recommendations. These included strengthening local capacities for drug prevention and management, the importance of cross-border collaboration to combat trafficking effectively, the need for ongoing training for security agents and social workers, and the need for more integrated strategies to combat human trafficking.
As a reminder, the challenges surrounding the border between Mauritania and Senegal remain complex and multifaceted. The porous borders and the instability of the security situation in Mali, which shares borders with both Mauritania and Senegal, as well as the low level of cross-border cooperation, the scarcity and difficulties in accessing natural resources and basic social services, the lack of opportunities particularly for women and young people, the challenges of extreme poverty, the effects of climate changes and development inequalities, constitute risk factors for security and social cohesion.
Issued recommendations will guide future cross-border actions to enhance border management and local community resilience to security risks over the coming months.
