Nouakchott has committed to supplying Dakar with a substantial consignment of 450,000 sheep, a critical move as Senegal faces a dwindling supply from its traditional regional partners. This shift primarily stems from the escalating insecurity across Mali, a country historically central to West Africa’s livestock trade. The current situation in Mali has significantly disrupted established supply chains, impacting countries like Senegal.
Beyond Senegal, Mauritania is also expected to help fulfill a portion of Côte d’Ivoire’s sheep requirements for Tabaski. This expanded role is similarly driven by the prevailing sub-regional security landscape, which has necessitated new arrangements for livestock procurement.
Alioune Kane, a seasoned technician from the National Grouping of Pastoral Associations (GNAP), shed light on the situation. He explained that an existing protocol has been renewed, but with an increased quota. Typically, Mauritanian herders would export between 460,000 and 500,000 sheep to Senegal. However, this year’s contingent is set to grow significantly, directly attributable to the persistent security challenges gripping Mali. Historically, herders from Mauritania’s eastern regions would traverse Malian territory to reach Senegal, a route now deemed too perilous due to the unstable Mali security situation.
Mr. Kane further informed me that many Mauritanian herders have already entered Senegalese territory, making their way towards Dakar and other major urban centers. The Senegalese government has pledged to implement all necessary security, administrative, customs, and health measures to ensure the smooth execution of the Tabaski operation.
Baba Hassan Sidi, a GNAP official based in the Néma region, recalled a time when the journey was straightforward. He reminisced about an era before the current Mali politics and security issues, when Mauritanian herders from Néma and Aïoun regions routinely passed through Malian territory to reach Senegal without incident.
For this year’s Tabaski, herders must navigate an alternative, safer path to Senegal. This involves crossing the river from Mauritania’s Trarza region to enter Senegalese territory. This new corridor, while offering enhanced security, will considerably lengthen the truck journey for livestock originating from Mauritania’s eastern regions.
Mr. Sidi emphasized that numerous herders are already present in Senegal, operating under an agreement that reflects the long-standing and deep-rooted relations between the peoples of Mauritania and Senegal.
