Interview with Dr. Dia Abdoul, Deputy Coordinator of the WACA-Mauritania Project

Dr. Dia Abdoul is a geologist by training (Master’s in Natural Sciences, specializing in Petroleum and Phosphate). He pursued advanced studies in marine geosciences, environment, and integrated coastal management (DESA) in Morocco, followed by a PhD in Oceanology in France, specializing in sedimentology, geomorphology, and marine geochemistry.

Professionally, he began his career in 2007 as a researcher at IMROP, before heading the Marine and Coastal Environments Laboratory (LEMMC) from 2014 to 2021. Between 2021 and 2024, he worked as an international consultant for the World Bank under the WACA-MR program, supporting the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development as well as the WACA-MR PIU. Since August 2024, he has been serving as Deputy Coordinator of the WACA-Mauritania project.

1. What is the current status of the breach-closing works in Nouakchott?

The works are progressing very well. After extensive preparatory studies (technical, environmental, and social), the first three breaches were closed in 2024. Today, the remaining six breaches are nearly 80% complete. We are confident that all nine breaches planned for this phase will be completed, alongside mechanical and biological dune stabilization efforts.

  2. Which areas of the city benefit directly from these works? 

Nouakchott is largely built on low-lying areas highly vulnerable to flooding. The coastal municipalities of Tevragh-Zeina, Sebkha, and El Mina are the most exposed, representing more than 342,000 inhabitants.

Thanks to the closure of the first three breaches and the stabilization of 80 hectares of dunes, about 22,000 households already enjoy better protection. Completion of the six remaining breaches will secure most of the exposed households, further strengthening the city’s coastal resilience.

 3. Will closing the nine breaches be enough to protect the city in the long run?

We must remain cautious. These breaches represented the most critical points, but other fragile areas remain, notably south of the port, where the dune barrier has been severely thinned. This is why a second phase of the project is already being prepared to address these new vulnerable areas.

In parallel, the State has established the Nouakchott Coastal Development Company (SALN), tasked with ensuring sustainable and integrated management of the capital’s coastline. This new structure will complement and extend WACA’s efforts.

 4. What messages would you like to share with coastal communities?

The success of these works also depends on citizen engagement. Communities, civil society, and local authorities must actively participate in safeguarding the progress achieved.

This requires awareness-raising campaigns and the adoption of responsible behaviors toward such a fragile ecosystem. The dune cordon is not just a natural barrier: it is vital to the safety and future of hundreds of thousands of Nouakchott.