Opinion: Mamoudou Baidy Gaye criticises Arabic-only rule in Mauritanian ministry
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Kassataya
An opinion piece by Mamoudou Baidy Gaye criticises a ministerial instruction requiring Arabic in internal memoranda. The author says linguistic exclusivity marginalises French speakers and contradicts the diversity Mauritania claims to uphold, according to Kassataya.
In an opinion piece published by Kassataya, Mamoudou Baidy Gaye, known as Alia Gaye, criticises a requirement to use Arabic exclusively in the internal memoranda of a Mauritanian ministry. He says the measure risks excluding part of the population from institutions and marginalising French speakers.
The author distinguishes promoting Arabic from using it exclusively in the administration. He points to the contrast between this rule and Mauritania’s advocacy of linguistic diversity within the Francophonie, and cites Coumba Ba’s candidacy to lead the organisation. The opinion piece expresses its author’s views and does not represent Kassataya’s position.
The intervention follows the announcement on 21 October of a Mauritanian minister’s decision on the use of Arabic in documents addressed to his office.
