VIOLENT clashes between Mauritanians and Malians have left at least 13 dead. The clashes, which took place last week on the border of the two Saharan states, were over watering holes for cattle. They erupted between inhabitants of Djigueni, in Mauritania, and villagers from Missira Samoura in Mali, after Malian shepherds refused to give water to a Mauritanian horseman who wanted to slake his mount’s thirst. Some Mauritanians then organised a reprisal expedition against the Malian village, and the conflict escalated thereafter.