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Total Area:
1,030,700 sq. km

Population:
3,086,859 (est. July 2005)
Ethnicity:

Mixed Maur/Black 40%, Maur 30%, Black 30%
Language:
Hassaniya Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (official), French
Religion:
Muslim 99.8%, 0.2% Christian
Government Type:
Republic.  Military coup in August 2005 ushered in a one-party state with the declared intentions of restoration of democracy within two years.
Capital:
Nouakchott
Population Below Poverty Line:
40% (est. 2004)

Persecution News
None Currently Available

After gaining independence from France in 1960, Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya siezed power in a coup in 1984. Opposition parties were legalized and a new constitution approved in 1991. Two multiparty presidential elections since then were widely seen as flawed, but the October 2001 legislative and municipal elections were generally considered free and open. A bloodless coup in August 2005 deposed President Taya and ushered in a military council headed by Col. Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, which declared it would remain in power for up to two years while it created conditions for genuine democratic institutions. For now, however, Mauritania remains a one-party state.

Mauritania is one of the poorest countries in the world, as well as one of the most restricted. As a result of long droughts and ethnic squabbling, the people are far too familiar with hardship.

Islam has dominated the country for over one thousand years. It is illegal for citizens to enter the homes of non-Muslims and anyone who confesses Christ faces the death penalty. People have been tortured and imprisoned for showing interest in the Gospel. While there are no specific laws against converting Muslims, in practice the government uses Article 11 of the Press Act to prohibit any conversion.

Article 11 bans the publication of any material that is against Islam or contradicts the teachings of Islam. As a result, Bibles are not publicly available, though some can be found among the .2% of the population who are Christians. The government views any conversion attempts as subverting humanitarian assistance and so Christian organizations are restricted to provide only physical aid.

Prayer Requests

  • Pray that Christians in Mauritania will find support and fellowship with other believers, despite their small numbers.  
  • Pray for opportunities for the love of Christ to show through the humanitarian efforts of Christian organizations.  
  • Pray for strength of mind and spirit for those risking much to bow their knees to Christ.