- German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul embarks on third visit to Africa this year, starting in Mauritania and continuing to Nigeria and South Africa, aiming to strengthen political and economic ties with African countries amid US protectionist trade policies.
- Wadephul’s diplomatic tour includes discussions with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ghazouani and Foreign Minister Mohamed Merzoug, as well as visits to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime to focus on preventing extremism and promoting deradicalization in the Sahel region.
- Mauritania, hosting over 320,000 refugees from Mali, is considered a stable country in a crisis-hit region, with Wadephul’s visit marking the first by a German foreign minister since 2006.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is to travel to Africa on Monday on his third visit the continent this year, beginning in Mauritania and then on to Nigeria and South Africa.
The diplomatic tour comes as Germany and Europe look to strengthen political and economic ties with African countries amid US President Donald Trump’s protectionist trade policies and broader pullback from multilateral cooperation.
Ahead of the trip, a Foreign Office spokeswoman said Europe and Africa are closely linked not only geographically, but also politically, economically and in terms of security issues.
Wadephul will be accompanied by a business delegation, with the trip also aimed at identifying opportunities for German companies and promoting private investment to support economic growth.
The minister previously visited Kenya and Ethiopia in January and Morocco in April.
Mauritania seen as a bastion of stability in crisis-hit region
In the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott, Wadephul plans to hold talks with President Mohamed Ghazouani and Foreign Minister Mohamed Merzoug.
He is also due to visit the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, where discussions are expected to focus on preventing extremism and promoting deradicalization amid ongoing violence by Islamist militant groups across the Sahel region.
With a population of about 5 million, Mauritania is seen as one of the region’s more stable countries despite its volatile surroundings. It currently hosts at least 320,000 refugees who have fled neighbouring Mali.
The last German foreign minister to visit Mauritania was Frank-Walter Steinmeier in 2006, before he became Germany’s current president. Former development minister Svenja Schulze visited the country in 2023.
