UAE Sunday announced investment of $2 billion in development projects in Mauritania, including a soft loan, during the visit of President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani to Abu Dhabi. Emirati state-run news agency, WAM, reported that Ould Ghazouani and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan also signed a number of agreements and memorandums during their meeting. Mauritania has sent troops to Yemen to fight on the side of the Emirati-Saudi-led international coalition fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The Emirati pledge comes following wide spread rumors of the Arab Gulf country’s plans to establish a military base in the North African country. The Mauritanian defense ministry has debunked the rumors.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 03, 2020 15:22 UTC