Mauritanian assembly fixes date for presidential elections

2009-01-08

Following ten days of deliberations, Mauritania's political leadership chose May 30th as the date for upcoming presidential elections. Also on the agenda are constitutional reforms to alter the government's balance of power.

By Mohamed Khattat and Mohamed Yahya Ould Abdel Wedoud for Magharebia in Nouakchott – 08/01/09

[Mohamed Khattat] Mauritania's General Assembly for Democracy set an election date and announced future reforms.

A group of Mauritanian officials reached a consensus Monday (January 5th) on at least one step to restore democracy to the troubled state. It was decided at the conclusion of the ten-day Etats Généraux de la Démocratie (EGD, or General Assembly for Democracy) in Nouakchott that presidential elections will be held on May 30th, 2009, with a second run-off round (if needed) tentatively scheduled for June 13th.

The EGD, organised by the High Council of State (HCE), which seized power last August from the democratically-elected government of Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdellahi, drew participation from 1,500 representatives of Mauritania's ruling class.

Facing tremendous foreign pressure to return the country to civilian rule, junta leader General Mohammed Ould Abdelaziz and the HCE decided to provide an open forum for discussion of the constitution and the roles and powers of the next head of state and the military in a democratic Mauritania.

Turnout was high, despite a boycott by deposed President Abdellahi and the National Front for the Defence of Democracy (FNDD), which opposed the coup. Participants included two-thirds of the parliament, 191 of the 216 mayors in office across Mauritania, political parties that supported the coup, and regional and religious dignitaries.

Also in attendance were the Rally of Democratic Forces (RFD) led by Ahmed Ould Daddah, and Ibrahima Sarr's Alliance for Justice and Democracy/Movement for Renewal (AJD/MR).

For ten days, participants debated a range of political issues divided into seven workshops: organisation of public authorities; political institutions; organisation of elections; monitoring and observation of elections; the electoral timetable; civil society, media and elections; and the role of mayors as actors in development.

In addition to setting an election date, the EGD recommended constitutional reform of articles concerning the election and dismissal of the President of the Republic, the balance of power between the president and parliament, and the status of the armed forces. Furthermore, it specified a six-month transitional period back to democracy. However, the participants failed to agree on the eligibility of military officers to run in the elections.

"The results of the public forums were not as I expected," said Sayed Ould Elb, an NGO director who participated in the conference. "It was necessary to reach a consensus over the need for the members of the military council to run in the elections slated for next May."

Former MP Sayyid Ahmed Ould Al Talib was concerned about the same issue. "So far, the [HCE] hasn't undertaken to be neutral in the elections; this doesn't promise a democratic future," he said. His group submitted a proposal on this question to the committee supervising the elections, but it failed to receive consensus.

"What is the benefit of consultations if the controversial issues are not resolved?" he asked.

Speaking at the conclusion of the Assembly meetings, General Mohammed Ould Abdelaziz vowed to abide by recommendations. "Today, we are obtaining the conclusions that embody your opinions and visions on the main issues for the coming period... As I said at the opening of these forums, the High Council of State will faithfully implement everything which received the approval of the majority of participants in the General Assembly for Democracy."

Responses to the conclusions of the EGD varied. Eberhard Schanze, German Ambassador to Nouakchott, said: "When I saw the draft of the final statement, I could see that it was an earnest reflection of the discussions, which were very open, frank and earnest. I could also read between the lines a heartfelt desire among the participants to seek out serious solutions to the issues which they had discussed. My impression is that what happened is no fabrication."

Opposition leader and RFD President Ahmed Ould Daddah said in a Tuesday statement that he is "unbound" by the conclusions of the Assembly. The workshops, he claims, "were largely open to well-known adulators who have always applauded the various regimes over the years, diverting the discussion from its real purpose."

He said the conclusions of the forum are not an accurate reflection of the views and opinions expressed by participants. Responding to rumours of General Abdelaziz's intentions to stand for election, Ould Daddah told the press: "This would be catastrophic, both for democracy and for a real way out of the crisis, for the absence of military staff from the elections is an essential point if there is to be a free, honest and transparent vote."

FNDD acting President Boidiel Ould Houmeid went one step further, describing the EGD in a press conference on Wednesday as an "illegal enterprise aimed at legitimising the coup, which is a fait accompli".