See also:
» 20.07.2009 - Abdelaziz wins elections, opposition claim irregularities
» 05.06.2009 - Mauritania's democracy deal hailed
» 03.06.2009 - Mauritania election compromise reached
» 02.06.2009 - Mediators push for later elections in Mauritania
» 28.05.2009 - Mauritanian parties at the negotiations table
» 20.05.2009 - Thousands demand Junta to scrap elections
» 14.05.2009 - Mauritania editor narrowly escapes death
» 17.04.2009 - Mauritania's former ruling party: abort electoral process











China wholesale online through DHgate.com


Houlihan's coupons


Finn autentiske matoppskrifter fra hele verden på Verdensmat.no:
Gazpacho Børek Kartoffelsalat Taboulé Gulasj Albóndigas Cevapi Rougaille Japrak sarma Zwiebelbrot Klopse Giouvetsi Paella Pljeskavica Pica pau Pulpo a la gallega Flammkuchen Langosj Tapenade Chatsjapuri Pasulj Lassi Kartoffelpuffer Tortilla Raznjici Knödel Lentejas Bœuf bourguignon Korianderchutney Brenneslesuppe Proia Sæbsi kavurma Sardinske calamares


Autentiske matoppskrifter fra hele verden finner du på Verdensmat.no:
Réunion Portugal Aserbajdsjan Serbia Tyskland Seychellene Bosnia Spania Libanon Belgia India Kroatia Hellas Italia Ungarn Komorene Georgia Mauritius Østerrike Romania Frankrike


Mauritania
Politics

Mauritania's President-elect to "transform nation"

afrol News / IRIN, 28 March - Speaking at his first press conference after becoming President-elect, Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdalahi said he would do all he could to "transform" his vast, desert nation. Mr Abdalahi next month is to take over power from a military junta that has revolutionised Mauritania with wide-ranging democratic reforms.

"[I plan to] build a country that conforms to the norms of justice and economic development" said the 69-year-old Mauritanian politician.

A formal transfer of power from the incumbent military government - led by Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Val who seized power in a coup last year - is expected to take place on 19 April, according to a government announcement made earlier this week.

Unlike all previous elections, this year's vote was widely regarded as totally free and fair, allowing Mauritanians to choose their president for the first time in the country's 46 year history. Members of the military junta were banned from sanding at this month's elections.

Provisional results of the runoff round held on 25 March, which were issued by Mauritania's Interior Ministry on Monday, showed that Mr Abdalahi won almost 53 percent against long time opposition leader Ahmed Ould Daddah.

Described by analysts as the 'consensus candidate', Mr Abdalahi, who has lived outside Mauritania for 15 years, was seen as something of an outsider in initial polling. He later won support from several prominent members of deposed President Maaouya Ould Taya's government and as well as from well known leaders in the opposition.

Yet because of his association with former Taya supporters, Mr Abdalahi's detractors have alleged that his victory means the military's influence will creep back into politics, a perception not helped by the army chief of staff Ahmed Ould Daddah issuing a statement congratulating Mr Abdakahi on his victory.

Mr Abdalahi devoted a portion of his speech to questions of racism which have dogged the country, dividing the dark and lighter skinned Arab Moors as well as the black African population into masters and slaves for centuries.

Referring to fighting in the country in 1989 and 1991, when scores of black Africans were expelled to neighbouring Senegal and Mali, he said he would work to build a peaceful democracy "founded on tolerance and acceptance [to] reinforce national unity."

One of the thorniest practical issues facing Mr Abdalahi is how he will share the country's newly found oil wealth, revenues from which have been mounting up in bank accounts under the current transitional government.


- Create an e-mail alert for Mauritania news
- Create an e-mail alert for Politics news


 
    Printable version


On the Afrol News front page now

Rwanda
Rwanda succeeds including citizens in formal financial sector

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.

Famine warning: "South Sudan is imploding"

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.
Guinea
Panic in West Africa after Ebola outbreak in Guinea

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.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia tightens its already strict anti-gay laws

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.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia plans Africa's biggest dam

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 

©  afrol News. Reproducing or buying afrol News' articles.

   You can contact us at mail@afrol.com