When we think of the end of slavery, it’s easy to imagine it happening centuries ago. You probably picture the US Civil War or the movements across the British Empire in the 1800s. But here’s what you probably didn’t know – Mauritania was the last country in the world to officially abolish slavery. And it happened even later than you’d probably expect, in 1981. That’s the same year that the then Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer!
You might wonder, how could a country be the last to abolish slavery, and what took so long? The answer lies in the complex history and social structure of Mauritania. Slavery had been deeply ingrained in the country’s culture and economy for centuries, often linked to ethnicity, social class, and the harsh realities of desert life. In Mauritania, the practice of slavery was not only an economic system but also a deeply entrenched social hierarchy, where the descendants of slaves were often kept in servitude by the descendants of former slave owners.
In 1981, Mauritania became the last country in the world to abolish slavery, a moment that came as a surprise to many, considering the global shift against such practices. Yet, even with this law on the books, slavery didn’t disappear overnight. In fact, it took years before the full implications of abolition began to be felt. For decades, people continued to live in conditions of forced labor and servitude, despite the legal change. In many cases, the law was not enforced, and local authorities often turned a blind eye to the continuing practice.
And so, slavery was “officially” abolished in Mauritania. But just because it was made illegal doesn’t mean it actually stopped. In fact, slavery continued in some areas for years after the law was passed. It wasn’t until 2007 that slavery was criminalized with real legal consequences. 2007 – the same year the iPhone came out. While the rest of the world was getting excited about touchscreens and apps, Mauritania was still trying to figure out how to get rid of slavery for good.
Even this law, however, didn’t completely eliminate the practice. Enforcement remained weak, and many people still found themselves trapped in slavery, passed down through generations. The government’s reluctance to tackle the issue head-on, coupled with deeply entrenched social divisions, meant that slavery persisted in Mauritania far longer than it should have.
One of the most shocking aspects of this history is that slavery wasn’t simply a relic of the past in Mauritania. Even in the 21st century, people continued to be born into slavery, a situation that many did not know how to escape. The descendants of enslaved people, particularly the Haratin ethnic group, often found themselves living in forced labour conditions on the farms of their masters, with little hope for a better life. This situation was exacerbated by the lack of proper education and economic opportunities for those trapped in the cycle of servitude.
Despite these challenges, progress has been made in recent years. International organizations, human rights groups, and local activists have worked tirelessly to bring attention to the problem and push for stronger enforcement of anti-slavery laws. Mauritania has made strides in recognizing the issue and slowly shifting public opinion. In recent years, there have been efforts to raise awareness, offer support to survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable for the practice.
The country’s struggle to end slavery is a reminder of just how difficult it can be to erase long-standing social practices, despite being universally considered heinous. While Mauritania is working to improve, the fact remains that it was the very last nation to formally outlaw slavery.
