Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani Re-elected for Second Term
Outgoing President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has been re-elected for a second term in Mauritania, securing 56.12% of the votes in the first round, according to provisional final results announced on Monday. Ghazouani, a 67-year-old career soldier first elected in 2019, will continue to lead this vast desert nation for another five years, pending validation by the Constitutional Council.
Election Results and Controversy
The Independent National Elections Commission (CENI) announced the election results, noting a voter turnout of around 55% out of approximately two million registered voters. Historic opponent Biram Dah Abeid secured the second place with 22.10% of the votes, while Islamist candidate Hamadi Ould Sidi El Mokhtar of the Tawassoul Party came third with 12.78%. Despite the results, Biram Dah Abeid refused to acknowledge the figures, alleging 'massive fraud' and accusing CENI of being a tool of power.
Stability and Future Prospects
Ghazouani has pledged to be a president for all Mauritanians and to continue his policies of consultation, dialogue, and partnership with all political actors. He presents himself as the guarantor of stability in a region troubled by jihadism and coups d'état. Under his leadership, Mauritania has not witnessed any terrorist attacks since 2011, contrasting with the frequent attacks in neighboring Mali and the Sahel region. Ghazouani aims to combat poverty and support youth, as many young Mauritanians migrate to Europe or the United States in search of better opportunities.
- The head of the Independent National Elections Commission, Dah Ould Abdel Jalil, stated in a press conference that the commission did everything possible to ensure fair elections and achieved relative success. However, the losing candidate, Biram Dah Abeid, accused the commission of being biased and rejected the results.
- Authorities have arrested leaders in Biram Dah Abeid's campaign on charges of incitement to destabilize security and stability in the country. Interior Minister Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed El Amin accused certain movements of attempting to disrupt national unity and security.
- Ghazouani's re-election comes at a time when Mauritania is poised to become a future gas producer, adding economic significance to his leadership. His commitment to stability and development is a crucial factor for the country's progress amid regional challenges.
