Yes Mauritania does seem to have an unstable history. After 2 decades of authoritarian rule they had a coup in 2005 followed a democratic election in 2007 which was ended by a military coup in 2008. The coup was peaceful and they are going back to the polls next month for another go.
Mauritania is a Muslim country and will have it's first Islamic presidential candidate next month. Jemil Ould Mansour, a 45-year-old lawmaker has promoted a tolerant, moderate and democratic Islam that rejects violence.
Mauritania is an ally of the US on the "war on terror" and it had links with Israel since 1999, one of three Arab nations to have done so, but suspended them in January 2009 in protest at Israel's military operation in Gaza.
More notably for Sphere and Minmetals, Mauritania has a very close relationship with China.
The friendly cooperation ties between China and Mauritania have developed steadily and achieved remarkable accomplishment since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1965.
On the political front, China and Mauritania have consolidated their ties, sharing the same or similar views on significant international issues and coordinating and supporting each other on global affairs.
Mauritania has steadfastly upheld the one China principle, refused to have contact in any forms with Taiwan authorities and stood firm for China's reunification.
During the past 40 years, high-level exchange of visits has been frequent. In March 2007, Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, elected president of Mauritania, expressed cordial hopes for further developing his country's friendly cooperation ties with China. In response to his gesture, Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a congratulatory message to him and dispatched a special envoy to attend his inauguration ceremony.
In the economic and trade arena, the two countries have also cooperated closely. In December 2006, China and Mauritania signed a series of agreements on Mauritania's recognition of China's market-oriented economy and China's granting preferential duties to Mauritania.
In 2007, bilateral trade volume reached 707 million US dollars, marking a 38.3-percent growth year-on-year.
China has provided various loans and aid for Mauritania. Under such aid programs, China has helped Mauritania in projects including a port, a conference center, and the presidential office building. Besides, projects of three government buildings, a hospital and two schools are at the preparation stage.
Much has been achieved on China's contract projects since 1982. By 2007, Chinese contractors had signed deals worth 663 million dollars, covering water supplies, telecommunications, agriculture and road construction.
On culture and education, China and Mauritania signed an inter-governmental cooperation deal in 1967. China has provided scholarships for Mauritanian students since 1975, and by 2007 a total of 140 Mauritanian students have studied in China.
(Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2008)
SPH Price at posting:
83.0¢ Sentiment: LT Buy Disclosure: Not Held
