Coup in Mauritania spurs demonstrations, condemnation abroad
08/08/2008
The military council that seized power in Mauritania issued a statement a day after the coup promising a swift transition back to democratic government. Mauritanian opinion is divided amid international condemnation.
Mohamed Ould Khayar and Mohamed Yahya Ould Abdel Wedoud in Nouakchott contributed to this report for Magharebia – 08/08/08
 [Mohamed Yahya Ould Abdel Wedoud] Demonstrations both for and against the coup have been taking place throughout Mauritania. |
In its first public appearance since overthrowing the Mauritanian government on Wednesday, the ruling military junta hosted a support rally Thursday (August 7th) in the gardens of the presidential palace in Nouakchott.
General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who launched the coup after he was sacked by President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdellahi, addressed the crowd as president of the newly-formed "High State Council".
"The national armed forces have brought democracy to the country and will continue to safeguard it. You will have equality and justice, and transparent elections will be held as soon as possible," Abdel Aziz told the gathering.
The rally followed a statement read on television and published by official news agency AMI on Thursday in which the 8 colonels and 3 generals on the council promised to hold free and transparent elections "as soon as possible" and "restart the democratic process on a permanent foundation".
"We are very happy to see the army once again put an end to the political deadlock and economic deterioration," one coup supporter told Magharebia. "The speedy announcement of holding elections proves that the military leaders are not interested in staying in power, which is a very patriotic thing".
Former ruling party deputies, who tendered their resignations two days before the coup, voiced their support for the military takeover. A statement read in parliament on Wednesday called on the population to support the "forces of reform", and held the deposed president responsible for the deterioration in economic and social conditions, the statement said.
Demonstrations both for and against the coup have been taking place throughout Mauritania. Protesters carrying banners with slogans in favour of the deposed president came to parliament where they were dispersed by Mauritanian police units using tear gas grenades, Nouakchott press agency ANI reported.
Leaders of the Adil, Tewassoul, Union of the Forces for Progress and Popular Progressive Alliance political parties opposed to the coup met late Wednesday night to organise a new movement: "The National Front for the Defence of Democracy". The group plans to stage sit-ins, marches and press conferences, ANI said.
In a communiqué published Thursday, the State Council said that with public order and security restored, it would assume the constitutional powers of the president until elections. Operations of state and local institutions, the parliament and the press would be respected and maintained, the statement asserted.
On Friday, the new governing council ordered the transfer of the president, prime minister, interior minister, Social and Economic Council chief and refugee repatriation agency chairman to the Congressional Palace in the western part of the capital, ANI reported. The officials had been held in a Republican Guard facility.
President Abdellahi's family was released from house arrest late Thursday, Reuters reported. There has been no contact between the deposed government officials and their families.
The coup was condemned by the international community. The African Union, the EU and the US have demanded the immediate release of the detained president and the other officials
In separate statements on Thursday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and French President Nicolas Sarkozy called for "the restoration of constitutional order." In Brussels, European Commission spokesman John Clancy is quoted as saying that "the current situation is unacceptable", while the US State Department announced it would suspend more than $20m in non-humanitarian aid to Mauritania.
Both the Arab League and the African Union sent missions to Nouakchott on Friday. Delegates were reportedly concerned over the breaking up of peaceful demonstrations in support of the president.
Meanwhile, the Mauritanian street continues to be divided.
Bank employee Mohamed Ould Taleb expressed concern over the international condemnation, which he said means "that the country is totally isolated, and with the presidential elections promised by the new junta coming up we need credible observation by these partners and their financial support in running the elections."
Law student Fatimetou Mint Ahmed saw the coup as "an attack on democracy and the values of the republic, whatever the reasons behind it. The military could have negotiated with the president over his resignation, but the use of force is reprehensible," she told Magharebia.
Businesswoman Nezha Mint Brahim is prepared to do without democracy. "I’m not well-educated because I didn’t go to school, but here’s my opinion: if democracy means price hikes and poverty, we can do without it. What we need is leaders who make life better for people. It doesn’t matter whether they’re army officers or elected democrats."
Travel agent Ahmed Ould Tijani expressed scepticism.
"If they keep asking people to vote in elections for a president who is then overthrown, people will get fed up and stop believing in politicians," he said.