Electoral campaign kicks off in Mauritania

2009-07-08

Mauritanians weigh the platforms of nine presidential candidates, a little more than a week before the polls open.

By Mohamed Yahya Ould Abdel Wedoud for Magharebia in Nouakchott – 08/07/09

[Mohamed Yahya Ould Abdel Wedoud] Presidential campaign workers set up camp across Nouakchott and other regions to promote nine candidates.

Nine candidates are competing for the presidency in Mauritania, in a campaign that runs from July 2nd through the polls on July 18th. Observers believe a balance between majority and opposition leaders in the election – agreed in June's Dakar Agreement – will ensure transparency.

After 10 months of turmoil brought on by the August 2008 coup, political leaders committed to the power-sharing arrangement in the interest of stability. Ousted president Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdellahi submitted his resignation willingly and signed the decree appointing the transition government of national unity.

Also on July 2nd, the members of Independent Elections Committee were sworn in to serve the electorate, in the presence of Constitutional Council President Abdallah Ould Ala Salem. He urged the committee members to discharge their duties with "integrity and a spirit of responsibility".

Campaign workers set up camp across Nouakchott and other regions to promote ten candidates, but one – Askir Ould Embarak – withdrew from the race on Monday (July 6th). Of the remaining nine, six represent parties and three are independents.

Campaign events at night in the capital have taken on a festive air; prospective voters are treated to musical soirées and receive appeals over loudspeakers from the various camps.

One camp supervisor, Toumn Mint Saydat, said the campaign began peacefully. "Everyone sits together regardless of their political affiliation," she told Magharebia. "I think that Mauritanians are currently living in an encouraging democratic atmosphere."

Observers identified a great deal of overlap between the different candidates' platforms.

While candidate Massoud Ould Belkheir undertook to guarantee "justice and to enhance democracy", Mohammed Abdulaziz promised "to get rid of corrupters and to reform the administration".

Abdul Aziz, former junta leader and presidential front-runner, told supporters in Atar on Tuesday that he would put an end to corruption. "I shall bring to justice all those involved in stealing our public money, and I shall be firm and strong in dealing with them," he said.

Belkheir promised voters on Monday that he would support democracy and human rights and work with trade unions. "Democracy is the only way to enhance our national unity," he said. "It's no longer acceptable that man take advantage of his fellow man or to live on the results of his sweat. If I'm elected president, I shall work hand in hand with all trade unions in the country."

The moral aspects of reform dominate the agenda of Ahmed Ould Dada. He told supporters on Monday, "I shall build the Mauritania of justice, equity, tolerance, and values."

Regarding the army, Ould Dada said he would raise salaries and equip them sufficiently "so that they may be able to defend the country and concentrate on their main tasks".

Ely Ould Mohammed Vall, architect of the 2005 military coup, focused in his platform on "social justice, economic development, and the fight against extremism".

The campaign has already seen a number of high-profile political compromises, including when former candidate Askir Ould Embarak and the Al Wasat Democratic Party lent support to former general and presidential front-runner Mohamed Ould Abdulaziz. Another such alliance was the support of Ahmed Ould Dada by former Prime Minister Zein Ould Zeidane and the Al Badeel Party and Democratic Rally.

Mauritanians are showing unprecedented interest in the campaign. Meriem, a woman in her 30s, said, "In this election, we see hope for constructive change which will be like a safety valve for this society. We are in need of absolutely real reform, and this will be brought about only through correct democracy. I hope that this election will be an actual introduction to the democratic dream which we have always had."

Not everyone was optimistic, however. Political activist Al Khalifa Ould Mohammed told Magharebia: "The opposition now holds the more important ministries: finance, which was used to buy votes; information, which was used in misleading public opinion; [and] interior, which was used to rig the votes."

He then added, "The coup has failed, and the citizens have to resort to their consciences."