Spain's Leader Begins West Africa Tour in Mauritania to Tackle Irregular Migration to Canary Islands BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain's prime minister embarked on a three-day tour of West Africa on ...

1898 - France wins the allegiance of Moors in the region. 1904 - Mauritania becomes part of French West Africa, first as a protectorate and later as a colony. 1912 - French forces defeat the ...