GCERF Mourns the Loss of Civil Society Partners in Mauritania

Geneva, 22 May 2025 – The Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) expresses its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of Mohamed El Bechir Ould Cheikh El Hadi Ould Seyid, President of the Mauritanian civil society organisation Bienfaisance Sans Frontières (BSF), and four BSF team members who tragically lost their lives in a road accident near Chegar, Brakna region, Mauritania.

The BSF team was travelling on a mission to monitor a GCERF-supported project and meet with the GCERF National Advisor to discuss the programme’s progress in preventing violent extremism (PVE) in the region.

With GCERF support, BSF led a consortium of two other civil society organisations working to establish community-driven alert systems to prevent violent extremism; provide vocational training and economic support to vulnerable groups; create platforms for dialogue and coordination among local civil society actors; and engage religious leaders to promote peace and reduce intra- and inter-community tensions.

“These individuals were not only colleagues but courageous peacebuilders, dedicated to the difficult work of preventing violent extremism in fragile communities,” said Dr. Khalid Koser, GCERF Executive Director. “Their legacy is one of compassion, service, and commitment to peace.”

GCERF honours the memory of these five dedicated individuals and recommits to supporting local civil society actors striving to build resilient, inclusive, and peaceful communities.

Read this statement in Arabic and French.