Mauritania: Teachers to strike and protest nationwide May 9-14

Event

The Joint Coordination Body for Basic and Secondary Education Unions plans to strike nationwide May 9-14. The action is in response to various disputes with the government. Related protests before and during the strike period are likely. Gathering areas include government buildings, prominent public squares, and city centers. Dozens to a few hundred people may attend the gatherings.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that protests are scheduled from 10:00 May 9 near government buildings. On May 11, striking teachers reportedly plan to protest in Freedom Square in Nouakchott from 10:00. A protest scheduled previously for April 27 in Freedom Square has been suspended.

Security forces will likely deploy to monitor gatherings and may seek to disperse particularly disruptive events. Localized ground travel delays are likely near all protest sites; however, disruptions are likely to be short-lived.

Advice

Avoid all protests as a standard precaution. Heed the instructions of security forces. Plan for some localized ground travel delays near demonstrations.