Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights María Otero to Travel to Mauritania and France

Under Secretary María Otero will travel to Nouakchott, Mauritania from October 15-17 and Paris, France from October 18-19, 2012.

In Mauritania, Under Secretary Otero will meet with government officials, including President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, representatives from civil society, UN agencies and youth groups to discuss political and democratic developments in the country, electoral processes, refugees and humanitarian assistance and combating trafficking in persons. This is the most senior-level U.S. State Department visit to Mauritania in five years.

In Paris, Under Secretary Otero will meet with French government officials and with the leadership of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to discuss open and accountable governance and regional political and security developments.