- The Mauritanian weekly 'Raya' has been banned by the government for allegedly trying to "sabotage" the government and promoting "intolerance." The weekly, with a moderate Islamist approach, was one of the country's few independent media.
The Mauritanian Islamist weekly 'Raya' has been banned and its offices have been closed under an Interior Ministry order on 1 June 2003. No official explanation to the closure has been given, but 'Raya' was known to publish opposition voices in an otherwise conformist Mauritanian media landscape.
'Raya had previously been told to stop publishing in early May, when some 30 people in Islamist circles were arrested on charges of inciting violence. Those detained included Jamil Mansour, a 'Raya' contributor and Member of Parliament.
'Raya' editor-in-chief Ould Wediaa, who is currently in hiding, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on 30 May that the Mauritanian Interior Ministry had accused the newspaper of trying to "sabotage" the government and promoting "intolerance."
Mr Wediaa further said the newspaper had simply reported the positions of all segments of the political class. He described the Ministry's order as "arbitrary."
The 1 June ban was issued in accordance with Article 11 of the 25 July 1991 press freedom law, which says, "The Interior Ministry may, by decree, ban the circulation, distribution or sale of newspapers [...] that harm the principles of Islam or the credibility of the state, or are detrimental to the general interest or disturb public order and security".
- In such instances, the Interior Ministry is not required to offer any justification for its decisions, according to the Paris-based group Reporters sans Frontičres (RSF).
RSF today voiced its concern about the banning of 'Raya'. "As far as we know, this Islamist publication has never called for violence, contrary to what the Mauritanian authorities say," RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard said.
- One cannot help thinking that this ban on a newspaper that was never sparing in its criticism of the government is simply a means to gag a part of the opposition six months before the presidential election, Mr Ménard added.
The government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania - as the country officially is called - has been cautious to avoid even moderate Islamist groups to gain ground in the country. To the frustration of the country's mostly Muslim population, Mauritania is also one of very few Arabic countries to formally recognise Israel.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español