Latest news with #Ghazouani
Arab News
3 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Mauritanian president arrives in Madinah
MADINAH: President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Ghazouani arrived in Madinah on Saturday to visit and pray at the Prophet's Mosque. Ghazouani was received at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport by Abdul Mohsen bin Nayef bin Hamid, undersecretary of Madinah; the director of the Royal Protocol Office in the region Ibrahim bin Abdullah Barri; and a number of other officials, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki met Mohamed Ali Randhawa, the chairman of Pakistan's Capital Development Authority in Islamabad on Saturday. They discussed issues of common interest, according to a post made by the ambassador on X.
Daily Maverick
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Can Mauritania's new dialogue heal historic divides or will it repeat past failures?
Without guarantees, President Ghazouani's dialogue — the country's sixth — could widen the political divisions that threaten stability. On 27 November 2024, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani called for a national political dialogue to strengthen social cohesion and consolidate democracy in Mauritania. In doing so, he fulfils an electoral promise and a key political commitment made in his second term. However, opinion is divided on whether this dialogue can succeed, considering that over the past two decades, five political dialogues (in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2017 and 2018) failed to resolve the country's fundamental problems. These include social divisions, poor governance and corruption, electoral dysfunction, the persistence of slavery, and the humanitarian liabilities caused by government abuses against black Mauritanian civil servants and soldiers between 1986 and 1991. According to unofficial figures, Mauritania's population is 70% Arab-Berber (30% Beydane and 40% Haratine) and 30% Afro-Mauritanian (Fulani, Wolof and Soninke). Beydane are historically dominant, holding political and economic power. The president's party and its parliamentary allies view the dialogue as an opportunity to enhance engagement between political actors. But the opposition remains cautious, wary that this might simply repeat previous futile exercises conducted since the country's transition to democracy in 1992. The new dialogue — which does not have a specific time frame — responds to repeated calls from opposition parties seeking an opportunity for frank debate to help solve the country's major challenges. Mauritania has been working to get the national dialogue started since February, with negotiations under way to secure participation from as many political and civil society actors as possible. Ghazouani first held meetings with political party leaders to encourage their involvement. Consultations Then dialogue coordinator Moussa Fall, former head of Mauritania's Central Bank and 1970s student struggle leader, began consultations with various stakeholders to outline the process and ensure their participation. Several political actors have already submitted their proposals for the dialogue's roadmap. However, some opposition leaders have set out conditions that must first be agreed to ensure the dialogue succeeds. The Union of the Forces of Progress demands that Ghazouani guarantee implementation of the dialogue's decisions and establish a consensual follow-up mechanism to ensure action is taken. The Alliance for Justice and Democracy party calls for official recognition of national languages, withdrawal of the national education framework law, and a repeal of the political parties law. The latter law was criticised for giving the Minister of the Interior excessive powers to recognise and dissolve political parties. The most notable rejection of the dialogue process so far is from Biram Dah Abeid, leader of the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement, which campaigns against slavery. Abeid was runner-up in the 2014, 2019 and 2024 presidential elections, and demands official recognition of his party. He also wants assurances that the government will resolve the case of young people killed during demonstrations in Kaédi following the announcement of the 2024 election results. Abeid further insists on transparency throughout the dialogue, pledges that its decisions will be implemented, and the appointment of a neutral body to supervise the process, instead of the Ministry of the Interior. The dialogue will have to deal with deeply opposing views on sensitive issues such as national languages, racial discrimination, historical humanitarian abuses and slavery. Arab nationalists in Mauritania argue that opening these issues up for debate could threaten the country's identity and national cohesion. Their recent outbursts on social media and in the press show their determination to oppose any discussion of these matters. 'Buying time' Meanwhile, black Mauritanian activists and the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement believe this dialogue will be no different from previous ones. In their view, past dialogues merely bought time for successive governments, as they failed to implement proposed decisions and solutions. Activists and supporters of Abeid's movement demand guarantees that debates will cover all issues without restriction, including building social cohesion and ending slavery practices. They also want the president's personal commitment to implement the dialogue's recommendations. Despite these many reservations, the government is forging ahead to encourage participation. Public opinion and democratic forces in Mauritania generally emphasise the need for national agreement on solving the divisive issues that threaten the country's peace, unity and justice. The planned dialogue has the potential to offer solutions. Ghazouani sought to provide reassurance on 11 March 2025, when he addressed leaders of the majority and opposition parties, expressing his commitment to organise a dialogue that would resolve fundamental problems of national unity and good governance. But in order to break with the tradition of one-off dialogues that achieve little, authorities must do more than make announcements. The success of this initiative will depend on its ability to tackle sensitive issues head-on through a transparent, inclusive process. An independent monitoring mechanism that all participants agree on is vital to ensure that concrete actions are taken in response to the dialogue's decisions. Without meaningful change, Ghazouani's dialogue risks deepening the political divisions it aims to reconcile, threatening stability in Mauritania. DM
Al-Ahram Weekly
27-05-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt FM delivers a message from El-Sisi to Mauritanian president - Foreign Affairs
Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty delivered a written message from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to his Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, during an official visit to Nouakchott on Tuesday. During a meeting with the Mauritanian president, Abdelatty highlighted the deep-rooted historical ties between both nations. He affirmed Cairo's desire to elevate bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership, particularly in the economic domain, according to a foreign ministry statement. Abdelatty expressed his appreciation to Mauritania for backing Egyptian candidates in international forums, including its support for Khaled El-Anany, Egypt's nominee for UNESCO director-general. He pointed to the launch of the Egypt-Mauritania Economic Forum, held on the sidelines of the joint committee meetings, as a catalyst for enhanced investment partnerships. He also spotlighted several joint projects in Mauritania that are expected to see significant breakthroughs through Egyptian involvement. The minister also commended President Ghazouani's leadership in promoting stability and security in the Sahel region and reaffirmed Egypt's support for Mauritania's counterterrorism efforts, including enhanced bilateral cooperation in this domain. Minister Abdelatty briefed the Mauritanian president on Egypt's efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid. The two sides also exchanged views on a host of regional issues, including the situations in Libya, Sudan, Syria, and Lebanon, the statement noted. For his part, President Ghazouani lauded Egypt's pivotal role in promoting peace and stability across the region. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mauritania's former president is sentenced to 15 years in prison after appealing a 5-year verdict
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AP) — An appeals court in Mauritania handed down a 15-year prison sentence and a $3 million fine to former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz on Wednesday after he appealed a five-year sentence. Aziz helped lead two coups before serving two terms as president of the northwest African country and becoming a counterterrorism partner to Western nations. He was sentenced in 2023 after being found guilty of money laundering and self-enrichment. According to investigators, he accumulated over $70 million in assets while in power. He has been in custody since the verdict. The trial marked a rare instance in which an African leader was tried for corruption. Aziz's lawyers have framed the trial as score-settling between him and current President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani. Wednesday's verdict cleared six senior officials from the former president's administration, but sentenced Aziz's son-in-law to two years in prison for influence peddling. The court also ordered the dissolution of the 'Errahma' (Mercy) Foundation led by Aziz's son and the seizure of his assets. Ghazouani and Aziz were allies until Ghazouani became president in 2019 in the country's first peaceful transfer of government since independence. They fought over Aziz's attempts to take over a major political party after leaving office. A parliamentary commission opened a corruption inquiry against Aziz and 11 others in 2020. Mauritania is rich in natural resources including iron ore, copper, zinc, phosphate, gold, oil and natural gas. Yet almost 60% of the population lives in poverty, according to the United Nations, working as farmers or employed informally. With few economic opportunities for young people, many are attempting to reach Europe, and some are trying to reach the United States through Mexico.
Winnipeg Free Press
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Mauritania's former president is sentenced to 15 years in prison after appealing a 5-year verdict
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AP) — An appeals court in Mauritania handed down a 15-year prison sentence and a $3 million fine to former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz on Wednesday after he appealed a five-year sentence. Aziz helped lead two coups before serving two terms as president of the northwest African country and becoming a counterterrorism partner to Western nations. He was sentenced in 2023 after being found guilty of money laundering and self-enrichment. According to investigators, he accumulated over $70 million in assets while in power. He has been in custody since the verdict. The trial marked a rare instance in which an African leader was tried for corruption. Aziz's lawyers have framed the trial as score-settling between him and current President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani. Wednesday's verdict cleared six senior officials from the former president's administration, but sentenced Aziz's son-in-law to two years in prison for influence peddling. The court also ordered the dissolution of the 'Errahma' (Mercy) Foundation led by Aziz's son and the seizure of his assets. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Ghazouani and Aziz were allies until Ghazouani became president in 2019 in the country's first peaceful transfer of government since independence. They fought over Aziz's attempts to take over a major political party after leaving office. A parliamentary commission opened a corruption inquiry against Aziz and 11 others in 2020. Mauritania is rich in natural resources including iron ore, copper, zinc, phosphate, gold, oil and natural gas. Yet almost 60% of the population lives in poverty, according to the United Nations, working as farmers or employed informally. With few economic opportunities for young people, many are attempting to reach Europe, and some are trying to reach the United States through Mexico.
