Nestled in the southeastern corner of Mauritania, Hodh El Gharbi (or "Eastern Hodh") is a region steeped in history yet often overlooked in global narratives. From ancient trans-Saharan trade routes to modern-day climate crises, this arid landscape has witnessed the ebb and flow of empires, the resilience of nomadic cultures, and the harsh realities of geopolitical maneuvering.
The Cradle of Saharan Civilizations
The Ghana Empire’s Forgotten Frontier
Long before European colonizers drew arbitrary borders, Hodh El Gharbi served as a critical buffer zone for the Ghana Empire (300–1200 CE). Archaeological evidence suggests that the region’s oases—particularly around Timbedra—were vital rest stops for gold and salt caravans heading to Audaghost. The remnants of stone fortifications near Kiffa hint at a sophisticated defense system against Berber raiders from the north.
Almoravid Influence and the Islamization Wave
By the 11th century, the Almoravid movement transformed Hodh El Gharbi into a religious battleground. Local Soninke chiefs initially resisted the strict Maliki Islam preached by Almoravid scholars, but the region eventually became a hub for Sufi zawiyas (religious schools). The 14th-century ruins of Ouadane’s sister settlement, Tagant El Jedida, showcase unique Saharan-Andalusian architecture—a testament to this cultural fusion.
Colonialism’s Fractured Legacy
The Scramble for Hodh: French vs. Moroccan Claims
When France declared Mauritania a protectorate in 1903, Hodh El Gharbi became a contested zone. Moroccan Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz viewed the region as historically linked to Tafilalt’s emirates. Declassified French military logs from 1908 reveal brutal suppression campaigns against the Reguibat and Oulad Delim tribes, who resisted forced sedentarization.
The “Empty Land” Myth and Resource Exploitation
European cartographers labeled Hodh El Gharbi as terra nullius—ignoring centuries of nomadic land management. By the 1930s, French geologists had mapped extensive copper deposits near Aioun, but World War II delayed exploitation. Today, Chinese-owned Mauritanian Copper Mines (MCM) operates here, sparking debates about neo-colonial resource grabs.
Modern Hodh: Climate Change and Conflict
The Great Drought (1968–1973) and Its Aftermath
Hodh El Gharbi’s pastoralists suffered catastrophically during the Sahelian droughts. Satellite imagery shows the former pastoral zone around Bassikounou losing 40% of its vegetation cover by 1985. This ecological collapse accelerated rural-urban migration to Nouakchott’s slums—a pattern now repeating across the Sahel.
Jihadism’s New Frontier
Since 2015, Hodh El Gharbi has emerged as a flashpoint for jihadist activity. Analysts attribute this to:
- Cross-border porosity: Unmanned trails into Mali allow Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) to traffic weapons.
- Youth radicalization: Unemployment rates exceeding 60% make Quranic schools in Kobenni fertile recruitment grounds.
- Tribal grievances: The 1989 Mauritania-Senegal conflict displaced thousands of Halpulaar people, creating lingering resentments.
Water Wars and Geopolitical Chess
The Senegal River Crisis
Hodh El Gharbi’s southeastern tip relies on the Senegal River, now dammed upstream by Mali’s Gouina Hydroelectric Project. Farmers in Sélibaby report a 30% drop in flood-recession agriculture since 2020—a crisis exacerbated by climate change.
The New Scramble: UAE vs. Turkey
Abu Dhabi’s AD Ports Group recently secured logistics contracts in Néma, while Turkish drones patrol near the Malian border. This reflects broader Gulf-Africa resource competition, with Hodh El Gharbi as an unwitting pawn.
Cultural Resilience: Music as Resistance
In the face of these challenges, Hodh El Gharbi’s Griot traditions endure. Artists like Sidaty Ould Abeid blend ancient Tidinit lute melodies with lyrics about migration and loss—echoing the region’s unbreakable spirit.