Mauritania Charters Ships to Combat Fruit and Vegetable Shortage Amid Border Closure

The closure of the Guerguerat border crossing, between Mauritania and the Sahara, is detrimental to Moroccan truckers, importers and Mauritanian consumers. Dozens of trucks cannot reach Mauritania and other West African countries. Moroccan drivers and Mauritanian importers accuse the Polisario Front separatists of having interrupted the traffic.

Realizing the situation, the Mauritanian government has chartered ships to supply the markets. The first one docked at the beginning of the week at the port of Nouakchott. "Our country has experienced an unforeseen situation" but "we are overcoming it," said Naha Mint Hamdi Ould Mouknass, Minister of Commerce, during a visit to the large vegetable market in Nouakchott.

"A first ship loaded with containers carrying fruits and vegetables has just arrived at the port of Friendship in Nouakchott. Other ships will follow in the coming days. We also have products that have arrived by other means. The government has taken measures so that such a situation cannot happen again. We are committed to the regular supply of our markets," she said.