Summary:

On 20 January 2026, during the second day of the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026), Mauritanian Minister of Defense H.E. Hanana Ould Sidi signed a defense cooperation agreement with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs H.E. Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani aimed at strengthening bilateral defense ties and joint cooperation.  

Both countries affirmed their shared desire to consolidate security and defense cooperation amid a regional and international environment marked by growing security challenges. 

Outlook: 

While this agreement reflects rising security risks in the wider Sahel, particularly instability along Mauritania’s border with Mali and the spillover of armed group activity, it also underscores Nouakchott’s efforts to diversify its security partnerships beyond its immediate neighborhood.  

The deal highlights Mauritania’s growing role as a relatively stable actor in an increasingly volatile region, at a time when regional security architectures are under strain.  

At the same time, the agreement signals Mauritania’s interest in engaging with Gulf actors such as Qatar, whose expanding influence extends not only to defense diplomacy, but also to political leverage, strategic visibility, and, importantly, commercial opportunities. 

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