After battling armed attacks, Mauritania attempts to revive tourism
Key takeaways
- Armed groups linked to al-Qaeda began attacks in the mid-2000s but several security measures have halted them.
- The 49-year-old is custodian of one of Africa’s most striking natural landmarks, the Richat Structure, also known as the “Eye of Africa.”
- A colossal circular formation measuring about 40km (25 miles) in diameter, the Richat lies in the rugged terrain of Mauritania’s Adrar Plateau, on the western edge of the Sahara.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Armed groups linked to al-Qaeda began attacks in the mid-2000s but several security measures have halted them.
xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogle Add Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Fatima Cheikh Bouya, one of hundreds of Mauritanians who work in the tourism sector, waits for guests in her tent positioned at the Richat Structure [Shola Lawal/Al Jazeera]By Shola Lawal Published On 14 Jun 202614 Jun 2026Guelb er-Richat, Adrar Region, Mauritania – From inside her thatch-roof tent, Fatima Cheikh Mohammad Bouya scans the vast, rocky landscape outside, hoping to catch sight of approaching guests, ideally travellers looking to stay the night.
The 49-year-old is custodian of one of Africa’s most striking natural landmarks, the Richat Structure, also known as the “Eye of Africa.”