In the plush corridors of the presidential palace in Nouakchott, she is one of the voices that matter. Coumba Bâ, a trained doctor and seasoned politician, holds a unique position in the entourage of Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani: that of minister advisor and special envoy to the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). In this role, she embodies a discreet but decisive figure, carrying personal messages from the head of state to his African counterparts.
Originally from Monguel, in Gorgol, she belongs to an aristocratic Fulani lineage. Her respected teacher father instilled in her a love for education and public service. After stints in Niamey and Abidjan, she obtained a doctorate in dental surgery in 1998 entitled “Epidemiological study of oral-dental conditions and treatment needs of the school population of Nouakchott: evaluation based on 432 children aged 12”. Back in Mauritania, she practiced as a dentist while conducting prevention campaigns and awareness workshops, particularly on HIV/AIDS. But soon, medicine became a stepping stone for her to another form of commitment: politics.
In 2005, she entered the presidential palace as an advisor. From then on, her career gained momentum. During the 2007 presidential campaign, which brought Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi to the presidency, Coumba Bâ traveled to several African capitals to garner support, marking her true diplomatic debut.
As a mission officer and participant in the Dakar negotiations in 2008, she stood out for her direct style, rare in the polished political world. She accompanied, as an advisor or mission officer, leaders Ely Ould Mohamed Vall and Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, then President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. The trust she enjoys even allows her to joke publicly with the latter, a sign of her confidence and her special place in the circles of power.
Between 2009 and 2018, she held several ministerial portfolios – Public Service, Youth and Sports, African Affairs – and became vice-president of the Union for the Republic (UPR), the dominant party at the time. These governmental experiences confirmed her negotiation skills and ability to navigate a changing political landscape.
In 2019, she was appointed minister advisor to the Presidency in the first government of the Ghazouani era, a position she held until 2024. That year, she was designated special envoy to the OIF, tasked with conveying personal messages from the head of state to figures such as Alassane Ouattara, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, or Félix Tshisekedi.
This mission solidifies her reputation as a trusted woman, listened to by several successive presidents, from Maaouiya Ould Taya to Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani. Her extensive diplomatic networks and proximity to many African leaders make her a key player in Mauritanian diplomacy.
A mother, fluent in French, Arabic, and English, Coumba Bâ combines discretion and efficiency. Without seeking the spotlight, she has a lasting impact on the balance of power in Nouakchott. In a country where influence is measured by the trust of the head of state, she has managed to carve out a unique place.
