Mauritania: Update to MRT33016.F of 12 November 1999 on the Fulani (Fulani, Halpulaar, Hal-Pulaar, Halpullar, Peuhl, Peul, Fulbe) and how they are treated by the government (1999-2003)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 2 July 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MRT41679.FE |
| Reference | 1 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Mauritania: Update to MRT33016.F of 12 November 1999 on the Fulani (Fulani, Halpulaar, Hal-Pulaar, Halpullar, Peuhl, Peul, Fulbe) and how they are treated by the government (1999-2003), 2 July 2003, MRT41679.FE, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4dd815.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Mauritania's black population consists of several ethnic groups, including the Fulani (Country Reports 2002 31 Mar. 2003, introduction; Amnesty International 7 Nov. 2002, 9; Encyclopaedia of the Third World 1992, 1247; Encyclopaedia Britannica 1999 1999, 660). Statistical data on the percentage of Fulanis in the Mauritanian population varies depending on the source: for example, the Quid 1999 encyclopaedia indicated that, in 1997, 70 per cent of Mauritanians were Moors and 30 per cent were black Africans, and that 16 per cent of the latter group were Fulanis (Peuls) (1998, 1119). The Europa World Year Book 2002 reported that, in 1995, Fulanis (Peuls) represented 1.1 per cent of the population and Moors 81.5 per cent (2002, 2694). According to the Encyclopedia of the Third World, Fulanis (Fulbe) and Moors represented 9 per cent and 81 per cent, respectively, of the population (1992, 1247). In his book Tribus, ethnies et pouvoir en Mauritanie, Philippe Marchesin indicated that the Halpulaar (or Halpulaaren) consist of Toucouleurs and a minority of Peuls (1992, 55). According to the Ethnologue, Pulaar is spoken by 150,000 people in Mauritania (n.d.).
Some sources consulted by the Research Directorate mentioned that Mauritania's black population is subject to political and social discrimination (AP 17 June 2003; Country Reports 2002 31 Mar. 2003, Sect. 3 and 5). Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2002 pointed out that the Fulani are underrepresented in the military and security sectors, as well as in government: only 2 out of 20 ministerial positions are held by Fulanis, and 3 out of 27 Cabinet members, 8 out of 81 members of the National Assembly and 4 out of 56 Senate members are Fulani (ibid.).
In reference to racial discrimination, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2002 stated that "[a] number of accounts suggest that some members of the long-dominant White Moor community, which traditionally enslaved darker skinned groups, may continue to expect or desire servitude on the part of members of the generally darker-skinned Black Moors and southern ethnic groups" (31 Mar. 2003, Sect. 5). The Encyclopedia of the Third World pointed out that social and political relations between the Moorish North and the black South have been characterized by considerable tension (1992, 1248). Furthermore, according to the Associated Press (AP), Mauritania's black African citizens are relegated to second-class citizenship (AP 17 June 2003). Still according to the same source, members of the Peul, Wolof, Bambara and Soninke ethnic groups are apparently victims of discrimination in that "their languages are marginalized, and they are excluded from top government, military and private sector jobs" (ibid.).
No additional information on the above-mentioned subject could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints for this Response.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Amnesty International. 7 November 2002. Mauritania: A Future Free From Slavery? Associated Press (AP). 17 June 2003. Nafi Diouf. "Mauritania's Black Africans Complain of Second-class Citizenship in Arab-Dominated Society." (NEXIS)
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2002. 31 March 2003. United States Department of State. Washington, D.C. Encyclopaedia Britannica 1999. 1999. Edited by David R. Calhoum. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Encyclopedia of the Third World. 1992. 4th edition. Vol. 2. Edited by George Thomas Kurian. New York: Facts on File.
Ethnologue. n.d. "Pulaar: A Language from Senegal." Europa World Year Book 2002. 2002. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications Ltd.
Marchesin, Philippe. 1992. Tribus, ethnies et pouvoir en Mauritanie. Paris: Éditions Karthala.
Quid 1999. 1998. "Mauritanie." Edited by Dominique Frémy and Michèle Frémy. Paris: Éditions Robert Laffont S.A. and Dominique Frémy.
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB Databases
The Committee for Human Rights in Mauritania (Comité pour la défense des droits de l'homme en Mauritanie, CDHRM) could not respond to a request for information within the time constraints.
Internet sites, including:
Africaonline.com
AllAfrica.com
Anti-Slavery International
BBC News
Encyclopaedia Britannica Online
Encyclopedia.com
Human Rights Watch
Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent
Minorities at Risk Project
SOS Esclave
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
US Committee for Refugees
WNC
