Advisories from Canadian Government: MAURITANIA – AVOID NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL
Global Affairs Canada advises against non-essential travel to Mauritania due to the rise in terrorist threats against Western interests.
Regional Advisory for northern and eastern Mauritania, especially the desert areas north of the Oualata-Tichit-Ouadane-Zouérat line and the border areas with Algeria, Mali and Morocco
Global Affairs Canada advises against all travel to the northern and eastern parts of the country, especially the desert areas north of the Oualata-Tichit-Ouadane-Zouérat line, as well as to the border areas with Algeria, Mali and Morocco, due to the risk of banditry and kidnapping. See Security for more information.
http://travel.gc.ca/destinations/mauritania
From Australian Government: Latest advice, 25 Feb 2016
Due to the threat of terrorism, we now advise against all travel to the entire provinces of Hodh El Gharbi, Assaba and Guidimaka. We continue to advise Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Mauritania.
Read more at http://smartraveller.gov.au/countries/mauritania