In Mauritania, the abolitionist movement called Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA) has voiced strong opposition to what it describes as systematic repression following the arrest of six of its members along with two whistleblowers. This crackdown occurred after the revelation of a fresh incident of slavery, which was reported in early February. According to the Mauritanian justice system, these actions are being taken to maintain public order, indicating a clash between the government's stance and the abolitionist movement's efforts to combat slavery.

The incident that triggered the arrests involved the case of 11-year-old Nouha Mohamed, a haratine girl allegedly enslaved by a couple of teachers in Nouakchott. IRA president Biram Dah Abeid brought attention to the plight of an entire family affected by this situation, including the girl’s mother and her four younger sisters, one of whom is merely a month old. This highlights the tragic reality of slavery still persisting in Mauritania, despite its legal abolition in 1981 and subsequent criminalization in 2007.

The implications of these arrests are far-reaching, demonstrating the ongoing struggle against slavery in Mauritania and the tensions between civil society organizations and state authorities. The IRA has indicated that it will continue to fight for the rights of enslaved individuals and to raise awareness about the issue, as they believe that the government's actions are aimed at silencing dissent rather than addressing the root causes of slavery in the country.