How did Arabization policies under Maaouya Ould Sidi Ahmed Taya affect Black Mauritanians?

During the presidency of Maaouya Ould Sidi Ahmed Taya (1984–2005), the government implemented aggressive Arabization policies within both the state administration and the educational system.1

These policies were widely perceived by Black Mauritanians as prejudicial. By establishing Arabic as the primary language of instruction in schools starting in the late 1980s, the government effectively dismantled the long-standing educational and professional advantages previously held by French-schooled populations, particularly those from the Sénégal River valley.12

These cultural and linguistic shifts occurred against a backdrop of broader ethnic tensions, which included economic competition and disputes over land rights. The marginalization felt by Black Mauritanian groups during this era contributed to significant social friction, including a period of severe conflict with Senegal in 1989 that led to the mass expulsion of citizens from both nations. These policies reinforced existing social hierarchies, as the state prioritized an Arab-centric national identity over the diverse linguistic and cultural heritage of the country's Black African populations.123