“Our brave mothers raised us”
Get to know the Mauritanian Orphans’ Alliance / Alliance des orphelins mauritaniens
“My father's name is Wele Ousmane, and his military ID, I still remember in my head: 78080. I learned that since I was little, because I heard my mom repeating over and over, and it stuck in my head. He was a noble man, a kind man, a person always there to make people smile. He gave me a good education, like about taking care of pets, taking care of animals, making sure the garden is good before I go to school,” said Mohamedou Wele.
They told him and his brother Saliou that their father was "on a mission." He never returned. He was murdered at the Inal torture camp in Mauritania. Nadhirou Tambadou was 7 when they killed his dad; he, too, kept expecting him to return. The details of Guisset's father's execution won't be written here, but he did explain them in a webinar for reporters and lawyers on December 9. Even the other "orphans" broke down in tears.
They are all part of the Mauritanian widows and orphans movement. A day before International Human Rights Day these brave young men — who sought asylum in the US — joined with other leaders to talk about Black civil rights in Mauritania today, and why they continue to demand justice and equality, and seek safety in the United States.
In November 2024 — nearly 35 years after his father's murder — Mauritanian police threw tear gas into Tambadou's family home. They did this to intimidate his mother, one of the widows of Inal, and discourage her from continuing to demand justice. He had already fled to the United States. His father was killed by Mohamed Ould Bamba Meguette, who is currently the president of the Mauritanian Assembly. Beidy Ly was arrested several times for speaking up. Both of their asylum cases remain pending in the United States.
"Our brave mothers raised us. Today, if you see us speaking out, going to school, it's because of them," said Mohamedou. The widows and orphans movement has bravely demanded justice and accountability for their murdered loved ones, traveling to international tribunals and being the subject of constant intimidation and state violence back home. Many have had to flee Mauritania, but others still live there despite the risk.
“What we want is to repeal the 1993 amnesty law. That is a wall that keeps us from getting any kind of legal justice. We want them to recognize what they did to our fathers and stop burying the truth. Give us that justice. Give our mothers their justice. We really want to move past this and focus on what we can do to help our people to grow and educate themselves,” said Saliou Wele.
Watch the recording of the webinar, read a summary with quotes, and find other resources — all at this link. Learn more about the Orphans’ Alliance and their demands for accountability here.
