Mauritania’s civil security leadership spent a week in Monaco examining firefighting techniques and planning the next phase of a partnership that has spanned more than 25 years.

The General Delegation for Civil Security and Crisis Management visited the Principality from 15th to 19th December as part of a long-standing partnership between Monaco and Mauritania on civil security matters. The visit reaffirms close collaborative ties between firefighters from both countries.

With the partnership recently renewed through 2027, Mauritanian representatives participated in equipment demonstrations and intervention exercises by Monaco’s Fire Brigade, focusing particularly on structural fire challenges.

Ministerial discussions on future actions

Meetings between Brigadier General Abou EL MAALY EL HADY SIDI OULD AMAR, Mauritania’s General Delegate for Civil Security and Crisis Management, and Monaco’s Ministers Isabelle Berro-Amadei (External Relations and Cooperation) and Lionel Beffre (Interior) addressed actions to develop in the coming years.

Monaco’s International Cooperation Directorate has supported Mauritanian civil security in its protection and rescue missions for over 25 years. The cooperation benefits from expertise provided by Colonel Varo, Superior Commander of Monaco’s Public Force, technical support from Monaco’s Fire Brigade led by Lieutenant-Colonel Yvrard, and on-the-ground involvement from Monaco’s Consul in Mauritania, Aly Gueladio Kamara.

Tangible results over 25 years

Major achievements include construction of three emergency stations in Nouakchott, doubling coverage of Mauritania’s capital, and creation of a sea rescue brigade conducting beach surveillance missions.

The cooperation has also established a team of 14 local trainers who have made it possible to internalise initial training for new recruits, reducing dependence on external expertise. Monaco has strengthened Mauritania’s disaster response capabilities through equipment and material donations.

The partnership represents one of Monaco’s longer-running international cooperation programmes, demonstrating how a small state can provide meaningful technical assistance in specialised areas like emergency services.

Monaco’s approach focuses on building local capacity rather than creating dependency, evident in the training programmes that enable Mauritanian civil security to educate its own personnel. The construction of permanent infrastructure like emergency stations provides lasting benefits beyond the cooperation programme itself.

The renewed partnership through 2027 suggests both countries see value in continuing the technical exchange, with Monaco’s firefighting expertise complementing Mauritania’s developing emergency response systems.

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Photo credit: Direction de la Communication – Manuel Vitali