Mauritanian president, government to declare personal assets

04/05/2007

[Getty Images] Zeidane

At their first meeting on Wednesday (May 2nd), the Mauritanian Council of Ministers adopted a decision requiring President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdellahi, Prime Minister Zein Ould Zeidane and members of the government to declare their assets and personal wealth, AMI reported. According to Abdellahi, the move is aimed at meeting the legitimate expectations of citizens, particularly in the domains of administration, justice, the consolidation of national unity and the establishment of rule of law. Outlining his cabinet's action plan, Zeidane said new tools to follow up the plan were being developed by a newly-established ministry for the modernisation of the civil service and administration. The Prime Minister voiced his determination to "fight against corruption, the embezzlement of public monies and all other practices contrary to moral values." The council also discussed the recent price hikes for basic commodities, and the shortage of food particularly in rural areas.