First democratically elected president in Mauritania

2007-03-27

Mauritanian president-elect Ould Cheikh Abdellahi vows to instil the principles of democracy and political pluralism based upon respect for the other and for the role of the political opposition.

By Adil Dekkaki for Magharebia in Washington – 27/03/07

[Getty Images] Ould Cheikh Abdellahi garnered 52.85% of the vote

The Mauritanian interior ministry officially announced the victory of independent candidate Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdellahi in the second round of presidential elections held Sunday (March 25th) throughout the country. Ould Cheikh Abdellahi garnered 52.85% of the vote, the simple majority he needed to beat competitor Ahmed Ould Daddah. According to ministry figures, turnout in the second round of the presidential elections reached 68.48%. When he takes office in April, Ould Cheikh Abdellahi will be the first democratically-elected president in Mauritania since it gained independence from France in 1960.

The presidential election follows an August 2005 bloodless coup by the Military Council for Justice and Democracy which removed the regime of Maaouya Ould Ahmed Taya. The Military Council is set to disband, whereupon its members will assume their former posts. Its president, Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, has reiterated his intention to retire, honouring the promise he made upon taking control in 2005.

During a press conference on Monday, Ould Cheikh Abdellahi said the elections are a sign that the process of democratic transition in Mauritania is completed. He called on all Mauritanians to unify the ranks, to forget the divisive atmosphere of the election campaign, and to establish a strong Mauritanian nation with a better future for the country's people. He also vowed to implement his electoral promises, calling for deep and comprehensive change towards a sound democracy based on tolerance, acceptance of the other and respect for the role of political opposition. "I confirm to you here that I will work with earnestness and sincerity to protect…the people’s higher interests in my capacity as president of all Mauritanians", he said.

Ould Cheikh Abdellahi served in the governments of Moctar Ould Daddah (1971-1978) and Maaouya Ould Ahmed Taya (1986-1987), in posts including Minister of State for National Economy, Minister of Water and Energy, and Minister of Fishing and Maritime Economy. He has also held consultative positions in economics, in Kuwait and Niger.

The new president is scheduled to take the constitutional oath on April 19th, receiving authority from the ruling Military Council. He will serve a five-year term, and will be limited to two terms. During the coming weeks, consultations to form the next government are scheduled with the various political blocs.

Local media reported that former presidential candidates Zein Ould Zeidan and Masoud Ould Balkheir, who came in third and fourth respectively in the first round of the presidential election, will be charged with forming the new government and heading the Senate. Ould Zeidan and Ould Balkheir threw their support for Ould Cheikh Abdellahi in the second round election.

International observers said the Sunday run-off election was the freest ever in the country and ran smoothly. "We can affirm that these elections went ahead in a credible, fair and transparent manner," Reuters quoted the US embassy as saying in a statement. "This success…makes this country…a democratic model both for Africa and the Arab World," the statement added.

Observers concur that these elections were pivotal to the process of political change in Mauritania. They have restored authority to civilians, clearing the way for a pluralistic system in which transitions of power occur through peaceful and democratic means.

Mohamed Yahya Ould Abdel Wedoud in Nouakchott contributed to this report.