Technical equipment and experts from the Organisation for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS) have been deployed from Rosso to Nouakchott to support efforts to restore electricity after two major fires disrupted power supply in the Mauritanian capital.
Technical equipment and personnel from the Organisation for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS) were transported from Rosso to Nouakchott on Tuesday, as Mauritania intensifies efforts to restore power following two fires that severely damaged key electricity substations in the capital. The convoy, which included three technical experts-among them a Mauritanian specialist affiliated with OMVS-was escorted by the National Gendarmerie for the second consecutive day. The specific nature and intended use of the equipment have not been disclosed, but it is confirmed to be OMVS property.
The deployment comes as Mauritanian authorities continue to address the aftermath of the fires that struck the eastern and northern electricity substations in Nouakchott last Friday and Saturday, resulting in widespread power outages. The government has not clarified whether the OMVS equipment will be used directly for repairs or to support broader restoration operations.
Government Response and Investigation
Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Ajay announced that President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has ordered the formation of an independent commission of inquiry, led by former minister Kane Ousmane. The commission is tasked with determining the causes of the fires, assigning responsibility, assessing the effectiveness of emergency response, and evaluating the country's preparedness for similar incidents. In parallel, the government has committed to mobilising all necessary resources to restore the damaged substations, with technical procurement processes nearing completion and financial resources already released.
Regional and Operational Context
The OMVS intervention highlights the importance of regional cooperation in infrastructure resilience, as the organisation plays a key role in managing shared water and energy resources among member states. The ongoing crisis in Nouakchott follows earlier disruptions, as previously reported in coverage of Mauritania's efforts to restore power after a substation fire. The current mobilisation underscores the challenges facing Mauritania's electricity grid and the need for coordinated technical support in the wake of major incidents.
