Mauritanian coup leaders promise free elections
07/08/2008
The military junta behind Mauritania's bloodless coup issued a statement on Thursday (August 7th) promising to hold free and transparent elections "as soon as possible" and "restart the democratic process on a permanent foundation". The statement from the 8 colonels and 3 generals on the newly-formed "High State Council" was read on television and published by official news agency AMI one day after soldiers overthrew the 15-month-old government of President Sidi Cheikh Ould Abdellahi.
Abdellahi was seized by soldiers, along with his prime minister and interior minister, hours after he fired four military officials reportedly linked to the political opposition. One of the four, presidential guard chief Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz, led the takeover and is now president of the new governing council.
While the United Nations, Arab League and African Union were quick to condemn the coup, some local politicians reportedly back the removal of Abdellahi. They plan a march Thursday to support Abdelaziz' new government, AP reported.
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