Mauritania

by Kourich

Mauritania is an African country situated in the northwest. Its capital is Nouakchott, a young capital about 47 years old. A stranger will find Nouakchott neither clean nor nice, the streets and roads leading to the town are covered with sand. But, it is a peaceful country. We have never known civil war or rebellions. I thank God when I see such countries as Sudan or DR Congo which are always at war. Mauritania is also a nice place. Most areas are desertic. The north and east are especially desertic and mountainous.

Our country is large and rich in natural resources, but very poorly managed and corruption is everywhere destroying our country. We used to live better than today. For the past three years, things have been getting worse. Life is getting harder and harder, prices are increasing, and the youth are suffering. The government doesn’t help us; we don’t even know the name of our minister.

Now we are under the threat of sanctions because of the military coup which has been condemned everywhere in the world. We hope the generals in power will leave soon in response to the pressure of the big countries. I hope investors will come and invest here because I love my country. I want to see it developed and in good relationships with many countries – to be well known over the world.

I think Mauritanians should work very hard to rebuild their country, their economics, and their democracy. That is what the next government elected by the population will have to do – to struggle to address all of these challenges.

About Mauritania

by Mamoudou Oumar Ball

I'm Mamoudou , I was born in 1983, my city is Bababe. I draw plans. I am studying to become an architect. I also teach Kung Fu at the stadium.

Mauritania has been independent from French colonisation since November 28, 1960. Mr. Moctar ould Daddah was the first president of the country. In July 1978, he lost his power as president when he was arrested by some military officiers. Since that day, Mauritanie has had military officers at its commands.

A Visit to Village X

by Sidi Fofana

One time I visited a village that is found near the boarder between Mali and Mauritania. The village is named "X." In the middle of the village you will find an old house in ruins. Around the old house you will find fields of beans and grains. After the fields you will find sheep and other things. Every morning the men go into the fields. The young people go looking for wood to take to the women at home. After work, everyone sits under a tree to rest. They have little food. They have to share.

At night the children and women sleep without a mosquito net, with nothing. That’s why many people are affected by malaria. Also, they do not have medication for the sick. That’s why every year 8 or 10 children die from malaria.

Now, the reason there is so much AIDS in Africa is that all the families are poor so the young girls do prostitution to make money for their families. This is true for almost everyone. Let’s take the example of Nouakchott. A woman sells things in the market. Each day, she can’t make less than one thousand UM ($4) because she must pay that one thousand for her seat in the market. With that one thousand she could have bought cloths for her children and other things. How can my mind believe these things? Down to death I can’t believe them!

The Queen Pokou Abla

by Sidi Fofana

A long time ago, there lived in Ghana, the nation of Akan. A beautiful, intelligent and courageous queen governed them with love. She was named Abla Pokou. Her royaume (nation) lived in peace. One day a serious quarrel arose in the royal family. The enemies of Queen Pokou wanted another queen. Her enemies were strong and very great in number, and they were well armed. The queen was obliged to flee with those who remained loyal to her.

My Life

by Sidi Fofana

My name is Sidi Lassana Fofana. I was born in Nouadhibou in 1982. I am 26 years old. I am studying English and I am a teacher. I teach children in primary school. I am the son of Lassana Fofana and Niouma Coulibaly. They were born in a little village. The village is named Boully and it is next to the boarder with Mali. It is surrounded by fields and some old houses. My parents attended school, but not for very long. After that, my father traveled over to Nouadhibou. He worked in a company called Miferma. Later, in 1974, Miferma was replaced by SNIM (Society National Industry Mauritania). After he had worked thirty two years, SNIM wanted to cut my father’s pay to only 25 UM ($0.10) per month. My father would not work for such a small amount. He argued with the manager, but we came away empty-handed, with nothing. Today, my parents are back in the village, but I am here in Nouakchott fighting for my life and theirs. I will build a new life.

Mauritania

by Boubacar Sow

Mauritania was colonized by the French. The area of this land is 1030700 km2 with a population of 3 million inhabitants. We are two races, Arab and black African. There are many groups within the black race. There are those who speak Pulaar, Wolof, Sonike, and others who speak Hassania like the Arabs. We can say that the national languages are Arab and French. We find Mauritania in the northwest of Africa. It is a totally Muslim country. It is a brilliant civilization. The money is called Ouguiya. Mauritania received independence from France in 1960, and Independence Day is on November 28th. The first president was Moctar ould Dada.

Sports in Mauritania

by El Hadj Sall

Sports in Mauritania are not developed because the government does not help very much. Football is better financed than basketball. Sometimes you can see everybody playing basketball because everybody likes it. I want every country to help us when they can. The stadiums are very bad. In Mauritania we have only one stadium that is good. We do not have any indoor basketball courts. Please help us.