08/10/2008
One day after the expiration of threatened sanctions by the AU against Mauritania, a Mauritanian delegation met with African Union officials in Addis Ababa on Tuesday (October 7th), local and international press reported. AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping reiterated the African Union's standpoint that Mauritania should reinstate Ould Cheikh Abdellahi, press reports quoted a commission statement as saying after the meeting. AU Conflict Management Division official Assane Ba said that the council would convene soon to decide on AU's next steps. Sanctions could take the shape of travel restrictions and asset freezes, AFP reported.
Also Tuesday, Mauritanian police clashed with protesters supporting Abdellahi and dispersed the demonstration with batons and tear gas, local and international press reported.