At the June 2021 Brussels Summit, Allied leaders publicly articulated, for the first time, concerns over the continuously deteriorating situation in the Sahel region, and the potential repercussions on the Alliance’s security. Whilst reasserting their commitment and confidence in NATO’s long-standing partnership with Mauritania, Allies encouraged pursuing a constructive dialogue with relevant institutions in the Sahel region, and in particular with those of the G5 Sahel.
It is in this context that the NATO Defense College was invited to explore possible avenues for cooperation with the G5 Sahel Defense College. Following an initial exploratory mission in June 2021 to Mauritania, NDC Commandant, LGEN Rittimann, paid a 2-day-visit to Nouakchott on 21 and 22 September 2021 to meet officials from the G5 Sahel institutions and Mauritanian authorities. On 21 September 2021, LGEN Rittimann met H.E. Ambassador Eric Yemdaogo Tiare, the new Executive Secretary of the G5 Sahel Secretariat, the Defense Minister of Mauritania H.E. Hanena Ould Sidi, and NATO nations’ ambassadors currently serving in the Mauritanian capital.
On Day 2, LGEN Rittimann visited the G5 Sahel Defense College, and met with the Commandant of the G5 Sahel Defense College to discuss concrete ways of supporting this institution in developing educational programs. The NDC Commandant also delivered a lecture of opportunity about NATO and the Sahel to the participants of the 4th Course of the G5 Sahel Defense College and Faculty. The NDC Commandant’s visit concluded with a meeting with Mauritania’s Chief of Defence.
NDC Public Affairs Office
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN