MAURITANIA: QATAR POSITIONING ITSELF AS MAJOR DONOR

UNCLAS NOUAKCHOTT 000093 DEPT FOR AF ACCRA FOR USAID/W E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EAGR SOCI MR SUBJECT: MAURITANIA: QATAR POSITIONING ITSELF AS MAJOR DONOR SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY ¶1. (SBU) Qatar, via its bilateral assistance implementing body, the Qatari-Mauritanian Establishment for Social Development (Etablissement Qataro-Mauritanian pour le Developpement Social),is positioning itself as a lead donor in Mauritania's post coup environment. It is the only known donor in Mauritania that has been increasing its aid since the August 6, 2008 coup. Its current budget is approximately $16 million USD, up from $3 million USD in mid-2007. ¶2. (SBU) The Qatari-Mauritanian Establishment for Social Development (Qatari Cooperation) was created in December 2004 by Her Highness Sheikha Mouza Bint Nacer Al Mesned, the emir's third wife, and has undertaken activities in Mauritania since March 2005. Its three primary areas of intervention include: women's literacy, vocational training and income generating activities. Geographically, Qatar's area of intervention targets: Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh El Chargi and Hodh El Gharbi, although they have special infrastructure projects and plans around the country. Qatar has satellite offices in each of the target regions, staffed by Mauritanians many of whom have studied or previously worked in Qatar. The Qatari Cooperation in Mauritania is scheduled to end as planned on March 31, 2010. Now, the preoccupation of Executive Director Abdelkader Ghessab is to design plans for the sustainability of Qatar's projects, including potential hand-over to public and/or private enterprises or alliances funded in part through Qatari shareholders. ¶3. (SBU) The Qatari Cooperation's main focus is: women's literacy, vocational training, and micro-credit for entrepreneurship. Its methodology is to target needy individuals, particularly women in each of the selected regional capitals. Once trained in literacy skills, Qatar then trains those same individuals in a trade, provides them with basic tools needed for that trade (i.e., plumbing tools, cloth dying materials, hair cutting and beautician implements, etc.) and assists with job placement. Individuals may, however, enter the program at any time by requesting to be put on a vocational training class or micro-credit project waiting list. Special projects are chosen by the Executive Director and given final personal approval by Her Highness Sheikha Mouza Bint Nacer Al Mesned. Criteria for special projects, including type and size is 
unclear. ¶4. (SBU) Beneficiaries of the Qatari Cooperation project continue to grow despite the coup. To date, 4400 women have been trained in the 12- month literacy course in Guidimaka, Hodh El Chargi and Hodh El Ghabi regions. An additional 1550 women from Gorgol region are expected to graduate from the reading and writing course in June ¶2009. Qatar-sponsored vocational training has also continued to grow. Vocational training centers in Guidimaka region and Nouakchott city have together trained over 700 people in restaurant management, women's hair and beauty services, tailoring, micro-project management and agriculture. An additional 167 are expected to graduate in June 2009 with training in information and technology management, agriculture, tailoring and micro-project management. Qatar plans to officially open two new vocational training centers in 2009 - Ayoun in February, and Nema in April. Plans for a fifth vocational training center, in Gorgol province, are underway. Furthermore, Qatar has funded 180 micro-income generating projects in Hodh El Gharbi, Hodh El Chargi and Guidimaka. 102 of these projects were recently completed. ¶5. (SBU) Additional new Qatari-funded projects are in process, and are expected to be inaugurated in coming months. By February, Qatari Cooperation's headquarters is expected to move to a larger facility in Nouakchott's old town city center. Additionally, their 3000 square meter Pedagogical Institute (Training of Trainers center) in Nouakchott is expected to open in April or May 2009. Two other projects have been approved and funded but are still in planning stages. These include a learning center for disabled children and a new Qataro-Mauritanian cultural center. Special projects -------------- ¶6. (U) In addition to its social development activities, Qatar is also involved in a number of large scale infrastructure projects in diverse locations. ¶7. (SBU) Qatar's biggest special project to date will be the "New City of Boutelimit", which consists of a major infrastructure overhaul of the existing city -- roads, water systems, electrical systems, drainage systems, schools, a stadium, and local government buildings. The labor contract was signed in March 2008. Engineering and architectural studies are underway. ¶8. (SBU) Qatar is also in the process of constructing two resorts, or "tourist complexes" just outside of Nouakchott along the beach. One of the resorts is being built by the Qatari-Mauritanian Establishment while the other is being built through a separate Qatari organization. ¶9. (SBU) Four special projects remain on hold since the coup due of changes in government and logistics: (1) construction of Nouakchott International Airport; (2) construction of new National Assembly building; and (3) the infrastructure re-development of Chinguetti, Mauritania's oldest city; and (4) rehabilitation of ancient manuscripts. The Qatari Emir and Her Highness Sheikha Mouza Bint Nacer Al Mesned were last in Mauritania immediately prior to the August 6 coup d'etat, at which time they were reportedly discussing the above special projects with government authorities. ¶10. (SBU) Comment: It is expected that Her Highness Sheikha Mouza Bint Nacer Al Mesned will return to Nouakchott in coming weeks to inaugurate the new Qatari Cooperation offices and/or new vocational training facility and/or Pedagogical Institute. It is also expected that she will discuss the four above suspended projects with junta authorities. End comment. ¶11. (SBU) With most donors suspending or terminating their development and aid assistance, Qatari Cooperation's Executive Director opines that Qatar is involved in purely humanitarian programming, including its infrastructure projects, and these projects must continue to avoid popular suffering and a potential humanitarian crisis in Mauritania's post-coup environment. However, Qatar's motives are probably not purely humanitarian. Qatar's continued involvement in Mauritania fits into its larger goal of becoming a regional leader, peacemaker, and patron in the Arab world. End comment. WALSH