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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Mauritania
Index
The martial tradition has been strong in Mauritania, where
the armed forces have played a role that has transcended security
needs. Having been integrated into the party structure of the PPM
at the Third Party Congress at Nouakchott in January 1968, the
resulting "people's army" was to combat the problems of misery,
ignorance, and backwardness, as well as those who threatened
national security. Accordingly, the armed forces were charged
with transforming traditional attitudes and regionalism by good
example. The soldier and policeman were to represent model
citizens epitomizing Mauritanian independence, as well as the
values of self-sacrifice, devotion to duty, and nationalism.
In spite of the lofty aims, recruitment practices perpetuated
historic divisions. As noted, a large percentage of officers were
Maures, whereas most recruits were blacks. This unevenness in
recruitment policy caused resentment on the part of the black
population and obstructed the formation of a united national
armed forces. Nevertheless, the armed forces trained badly needed
technicians and administrators, who could be employed in all
areas of the economy, including civil service positions. Military
personnel also assisted in civic action programs, such as roadbuilding . The military and police forces offered good pay,
security, the possibility of foreign training and, depending on
the position, political and economic power, all of which tended
to set the armed forces' officer corps apart as an elite group.
Data as of June 1988
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