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Combating Terrorist Financing through Non-Profit Organizations: Mauritania’s Efforts

Mauritania has been actively working to combat terrorist financing through non-profit organizations (NPOs). This report summarizes key points and highlights characteristics and types of associations that may be exposed to risks of exploitation.

Characteristics and Types of Associations Exposed

Approximately 1233 NPOs in Mauritania are engaged in collecting or distributing funds for charitable, religious, educational, cultural, social, or good deeds. These organizations are considered high-risk due to their involvement with financial transactions.

Types of Associations Exposed

The following types of associations may be exposed:

• Charitable Organizations: Those involved in collecting and distributing funds for various causes.
• Religious Organizations: Institutions that receive or manage donations, possibly including zakat (charity) funds.
• Educational Institutions: Schools, universities, or other organizations receiving or managing funds for educational purposes.
• Cultural Organizations: Groups focused on promoting arts, culture, or heritage, which may involve fundraising or financial management.

Mauritania’s Efforts to Combat Terrorist Financing

The report highlights Mauritania’s efforts to address these risks through:

Amendments and Regulations

• Amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Law (No. 017-2019): Updates to the law aim to strengthen measures against terrorist financing.
• Establishment of a mechanism for periodic risk assessments: Regular reviews will help identify potential risks and vulnerabilities in NPOs.

Best Practices and Supervision

• Development of best practices with NPOs: Collaborative efforts to prevent terrorist financing and promote transparency.
• Enhanced supervision by relevant authorities: Strengthened oversight to ensure compliance with regulations.

Shortcomings and Areas for Improvement

Despite these efforts, Mauritania still needs to address several shortcomings:

Lack of Information and Expertise

• Lack of information on how terrorist actors abuse NPOs: Insufficient understanding of the methods used by terrorist groups.
• Insufficient evidence of outreach programs and awareness-raising efforts among NPOs: Limited engagement with NPOs to promote awareness and prevent exploitation.
• Inadequate development and refinement of best practices with NPOs: Further work is needed to develop effective guidelines for NPOs.
• Limited expertise and powers for investigating NPOs: Insufficient resources and capabilities to investigate suspicious activities in NPOs.