The United States is currently aiding Mauritania with the disposal of approximately 30 tons of obsolete ammunition, according to a press release from the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.
This ongoing effort is supported by the U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) program, which is assisting the Mauritanian Army in destroying obsolete ammunition stockpiles.
The 30-ton stockpile was located in the city of Zouerate in the Northern Mauritania region, which has a population of approximately 44,650.
"Some of the stored ammunition was in poor condition or had exceeded its safe storage life, so it was deemed essential to destroy to reduce the risk of an unplanned explosion in a populated area that could harm civilians and damage critical infrastructure," Emil Deon Nelson, an Assistant Program Manager for Africa in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs stated in the press release.
Nelson also stated that the U.S. has invested approximately $9.1 million in Mauritania between 1999 and 2021 to help remove ammunition stockpiles, help establish better storage solutions and train personnel.
Since 1933, the U.S. has contributed $4.2 billion towards the removal of landmines as well as the collection and disposal of obsolete ammunition in over 100 countries and territories.
As of 2021, the U.S. has invested approximately $265 million on CWD projects throughout 62 countries.
