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Middle East and North Africa
Mauritania |
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Last reviewed: 1 July 2008 |
Country information
POLITICS
In August 2005 the 'Military Council for Justice and Democracy' seized power in a largely bloodless coup d’etat. The Military Council appointed a transitional government and undertook to return the country to democracy by March 2007. Prior to the coup, President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed TAYA governed from 1984, first as head of a military junta, and from 1992-2005 as head of an elected civilian government.
A new constitution was approved by 97% of voters in a referendum in June 2006. Legislative elections were held in November and December 2006. Turnout was around 70%. No party won outright.. The 11-member ‘Coalition of Forces for Democratic Change’, made up of parties which opposed former President Taya, took 41 of the 95 seats contested. Independents also did well, winning 39 seats. Women won 17 seats and make up 18% of the National Assembly. International observers considered the legislative elections free and transparent. Presidential elections took place in March 2007. The first round on 11 March 2007 did not produce a decisive winner. A second round run-off between the first round’s two leading candidates was held on 25 March 2007. Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheik Abdellahi narrowly defeated his veteran opposition rival, Ahmed Ould Daddah, 52% to 48%. Turnout was 67.5%. The EU Presidency, US and AU issued statements commending the conduct of the elections. President Abdellahi’s first government, formed mostly of technocrats, resigned in May 2008. The new government, announced on 11 May, is regarded as more broad-based and political and includes former ministers.
The new Government has inherited a number of formidable challenges: It is aware of the need to accelerate economic growth to raise the standard of living of Mauritanians, in the context of limited oil revenue prospects over the next few years and a difficult international economic environment. Mauritania has also recently become the target of terrorist activities. In December 2007, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQM) claimed responsibility for the killing of four Mauritanian soldiers as well as a family of French tourists. In February 2008, AQM attacked the Israeli Embassy in Nouakchott.
