Mauritanian candidates lure voters with hip-hop concerts

2009-07-16

Mauritania's political squabbles have been replaced by a festive atmosphere in the run-up to the presidential elections, thanks to an unusual campaign strategy from the nine candidates.

By Mohamed Yahya Ould Abdel Wedoud for Magharebia in Nouakchott – 16/07/09

[Mohamed Yahya Ould Abdel Wedoud] Mauritanians spend their nights moving between tents that have been installed especially for the electoral campaigns.

Mauritanians are having the best of times these summer nights. The streets and suburbs of Nouakchott have turned into big theatres. Glittering lights sparkle and beautiful and popular tunes fill the air.

At any other time, this would not be an unusual sight in the country of "one million poets". Now, however, a heated election campaign is in full swing.

Nine candidates are running for the Mauritanian presidency on July 18th. They include General Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz, who led the coup in that ousted the former regime last August; Ahmed Ould Dada, chairman of Rally of Democratic Forces; National Assembly speaker Messaoud Ould Belkhe; and Saleh Ould Hanenna, president of the Mauritanian Party of Union and Change. This crowded a field called for something original to attract voter attention.

Mauritanian presidential candidates chose tent concerts.

Mauritanians now spend their nights moving between tents that have been installed especially for the electoral campaigns in a number of cities. Regardless of political affiliations, artists, musicians, and audiences get together each night under the tents.

Campaigns resorted to the biggest hip-hop and pop bands in the country. Large screens were installed to attract the biggest possible number of young people to their tents and headquarters.

"Much art, less politics," one visitor described the atmosphere of elections in Mauritania.

"The Mauritanian people love art very much," said artist Ahmed Ould Alb. "I receive invitations on a daily basis from tent organisers and from people who seek to present soirées that attract Mauritanians and make them forget the troubles of politics."

Ould Alb noted that "the attendees are supporters of all candidates".

Al Mustaf, 30, is one of those taking advantage of the campaigns' entertainment offerings. "It gives us the opportunity to attend rare artistic soirées free of charge, where we speak to artists and poets in person spontaneously and without any protocols. It's a beautiful opportunity to forget troubles and concerns."

Some campaign organisers have said that they are not interested in the number of people attending these art events as much as they are in spreading a positive atmosphere. Fatima, one such organiser, noted that the number of attendees is increasing every day. "They are mostly open young people who are eager to have freedom," she said.

Political analyst Al Bukhari Ould Abdeen believes the soirees reflect "how strongly Mauritanians believe in democracy and how firmly they cling to it".

"Art was able to contain politics, exactly like the chests of Mauritanians were able to embrace all candidates. We can say that democracy is coming," he added.

Many young people said that the tents are not only serving as platforms for candidates, but have become a place where they meet new friends and exchange different views with others.

"The campaign is an excellent opportunity to meet with colleagues and friends whom I can't meet during the day because of work conditions and the different circumstances of life," said Mona. "It is also an opportunity to get to know new brothers and sisters."

"I wish there were electoral campaigns all the time," the young woman joked.