- Mauritanian citizens have been urged to "rise up and save democracy" from being eroded.
Alioune Tine, the secretary general of the Dakar-based African Rally for the Defence of Human Rights (RADHO), told journalists after a meeting with General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz in the capital Nouachott that he has "come to Mauritania to encourage its citizens to regain their seat in the world community."
Mr. Tine's message has been directed to all stakeholders, the military, political parties, and civil society organisations.
Mr. Tine, whose non-governmental organisation has been working on Mauritania for the past two decades, believes that "democracy is a learning process" that allows countries to stumble and fall down before get back to their feet.
He explains how the West African country's last military coup had derailed the positive efforts of the last transition from military to civilian rule. Tine says the two-year transition, followed by a successful democratic elections in the country in over 40 years, has been hailed throughout the world.
General Abel Aziz, formerly the head of presidential guards, led military officials to oust the country's democratically elected president Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi from power on 6 August.
However, the ruling military high state council has been under intense international pressure to restore contitutional rule in the country. After almost a month in office, the junta on Sunday named a 28-member cabinet, though it is yet to announce the date of elections.
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.
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