Mauritania's press union complained on Friday that a paper shortage had deprived readers of any privately-run media for more than 10 days, while state-sponsored publications continued to print normally.
"Since December 11, the national printing press has suspended printing of independent Mauritanian newspapers due to a shortage of paper," the RPM union said in a statement, adding 23 publications including seven daily newspapers were affected.
"Meanwhile state-run newspapers Chaab and Horizon are published as usual," it added.
A source with Mauritania's state printing press told Agence France Presse the stoppage was temporary and a delivery was expected "shortly".
But the union accused the government of "deliberately limiting information to state media," and called for the printing of all publications to restart immediately.
