EU suspends co-operation with Mauritania

2009-04-08

The EU suspended nearly all aid to Mauritania and gave the ruling junta measures to implement before the bloc reconsiders its move.

By Mohamed Yahia Ould Abdel Wedoud for Magharebia in from Nouakchott -- 08/04/09

[Getty Images] The EU urged Mauritania’s military junta to take appropriate measures to restore constitutional rule.

The EU announced Monday (April 6th) a two-year suspension of co-operation with Mauritania, ending five months of consultations with the leaders of the military coup that toppled President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdellahi last August.

"Representatives of the ruling military junta failed to present satisfactory proposals or commitments… The Council therefore decided to conclude the consultations," the EU statement said. The talks with the junta-led High State Council (HCE) were launched last October following calls by the EU for the country to restore constitutional order.

The letter signed jointly on Monday by the EU presidency and the EU commission urged the ruling junta to take "a series of appropriate measures … to remedy the situation".

"Without a consensus and a return to constitutional order, there is no possibility of any substantial resumption of EU-Mauritanian cooperation," the EU Council statement said.

EU states decided that "all aid that was frozen immediately after the coup shall be officially suspended, except humanitarian aid".

At stake is a special assistance programme for Mauritania undertaken by the European Development Fund (EDF), which includes a 156 million-euro worth of aid spanning the period 2008 through 2018.

Regular monitoring missions will be sent to the country during the 24-month period to assess progress towards the return of constitutional order. The EU statement noted, however, that the measures "do not close the door to political dialogue between the EU and the Mauritanian parties".

"The sanctions are the cause of the aggressive coup on August 6th, which showed clearly that its leaders are thirsty for power even if that meant starving and isolating the Mauritanian people and holding them a hostage," said Ahmed Ould Samb, spokesman for ousted President Ould Cheikh Abdallah. "Mauritania’s reputation has also been impaired in the absence of legitimacy."

Citizens expressed regret over the EU decision, with many voicing hope that the country would overcome the current political crisis as soon as possible.

Aal Salem Ould El Mami, an entrepreneur, said that the decision was a surprise. "It seems that the international community will continue to pressure the new leadership in the country until they accept a constitutional solution."

"We hope Mauritania will again become free and democratic, acting as a liaison between the north and the south of the African continent, as well as a key member in the Arab Maghreb Union," he added.

Mohamed Salem Ould Bab, a political analyst, said, "The days of coups in Africa are over thanks to international treaties. Showing leniency to any coup now will open the door before many more, which will, in turn, result in shaking stability and halting development, which no law could possibly justify."