MCM facilities in Akjoujt, an archive image published by Madar in July 2024.
Mauritania's water ministry has sent a technical mission to Akjoujt and Benichab to prepare a supply study for the town and villages along the proposed transport route. The initiative follows successive interventions that have not ended recurring supply problems.
In an update on its official page on Sunday, 11 October, the ministry said the mission, led by water director Salah Dine Babah, inspected facilities operated by the national water company, SNDE, and Mines de Cuivre de Mauritanie (MCM) in Akjoujt. It met MCM management, local authorities and civil society representatives. In Benichab, it examined wells, the pipeline, village water outlets and livestock herders' needs.
During his visit to Akjoujt on 24 September, President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani called for a study of water supplies from Benichab and rapid implementation. A ministry meeting on 29 September set preparatory deadlines and allocated responsibilities.
Supply problems dating back to the Abdel Aziz presidency
In October 2016, under President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, Akjoujt already relied on MCM supplies, then estimated at 1,300 cubic metres a day. The mayor called for the network to be renewed and a well deepened. An additional reservoir built by MCM was inaugurated in August 2017 to ease shortages.
In November 2019, a few months after Ghazouani took office, the ministry announced a network extension, a 2,500-cubic-metre reservoir and a component to desalinate brackish groundwater. SNDE's regional head said these measures, together with MCM supplies, would provide a permanent 3,500 cubic metres a day.
Interruptions nevertheless continued. In July 2023, the water minister inspected the facilities and ordered shortcomings to be addressed. On 23 July 2024, authorities began distributing water by tanker after a fault in MCM's pipeline from Benichab cut off supplies completely. In a statement subsequently published by Madar, MCM confirmed that the fault in the freshwater pipeline affected Akjoujt and surrounding areas.
In March 2025, authorities were overseeing desalination works and the reactivation of wells, with two units designed for 50 and 20 cubic metres an hour. In September 2026, Inchiri's governor described a pipeline from Benichab as the lasting solution, given the scarcity of local resources.
The current mission therefore follows years of difficulty securing stable supplies. The new approach focuses on bringing water from Benichab and assessing future needs. Earlier interventions included network upgrades and desalination; the newly announced mission is preparing the water-transport study.
