Mauritania News
Features
2009-07-01 Michael Jackson fans in the Maghreb countries share their sorrow with fans around the world. One newspaper reported the suicide of a grieving fan, and Magharebia found another who began a hunger strike when he heard the news.Continue...
2009-06-28 Mauritanians are voicing anger over last week's brazen daytime murder of an American NGO worker. Politicians and citizens decry the assassination of someone who was "trying to help young people".Continue...
2009-06-26 Fifteen Arab nations participated at a counter-terrorism conference this week in Tunisia. Delegates agreed that global co-operation is needed to fight a global crime.Continue...
2009-06-24 The Iranian government is addressing a large-scale political crisis prompted by the June 12th elections. Experts in the Maghreb point to the role of the internet in mobilising support for the opposition.Continue...
2009-06-23 As the world's modern rhythms begin to reach Mauritanian shores, musicians are voicing concerns about the future of their traditional music.Continue...
News Briefs
AU Security Council lifts Mauritania sanctions
2009-07-01 The African Union (AU) Security Council lifted sanctions against Mauritania, local and international press reported on Wednesday (July 1st). The decision follows recent measures to restore democratic order in Mauritania, including the creation of a transitional government and agreement among the country's rival political factions to hold presidential elections next month, the AUSC said in a statement.
Mauritanian journalists face defamation trial
2009-07-01 Two editors of Mauritanian newspaper Points Chaud will appear in a Nouakchott criminal court Wednesday (July 1st) to answer defamation charges, Journal Tahalil reported. Izza Mint Moulaye El Hacen and Moulay Najim Ould Moulay Zeine are being sued by real estate magnate and current finance minister Sidi Ould Salem over an article alleging that he misappropriated nearly 3 billion ougiyas from the sale of public lands.
AU Summit begins in Libya
2009-07-01 The 13th African Union (AU) Summit of Heads of State and Government kicked off in Sirte, Libya on Wednesday (July 1st). This year's main theme will be investment in agriculture for economic growth and food security. Structural changes in the AU will also be discussed.
Mauritania proceeds with presidential election agenda
2009-06-29 Mauritania's Constitutional Council on Sunday (June 28th) agreed to convene the electoral college and launched a 48-hour call for submission of candidature applications, ANI reported. Former junta leader Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz, former Rally of Democratic Forces (RFD) party chief Kane Hamidou Baba, Alliance for Justice and Democracy – Movement for Renovation (AJD-MR) party chief Sarr Ibrahima Moctar and former Prime Minister Sghair Ould M'bareck have already been approved as candidates for the July 18th presidential elections.
UN Western Sahara envoy concludes Maghreb trip
2009-06-28 United Nations Western Sahara Envoy Christopher Ross arrived Saturday (June 26th) in Rabat on the last stop of his second trip to the region, Maghreb and international press reported. Since arriving Wednesday in Algiers, Ross travelled to Tindouf and Mauritania. The visit follows the UN Security Council resolution issued in April urging Morocco and the Polisario to achieve a "lasting and mutually acceptable political solution".
Mauritanian political rivals reach accord; Abdellahi resigns
2009-06-28 Mauritania formed a transitional national unity government on Friday (June 26th) in Nouakchott, Journal Tahalil reported. International mediator Habib Kabachi was quoted as saying that the rival political poles had successfully reached "an accord on all points". In the presence of Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, deposed president Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdellahi officially resigned and signed the decree for the installation of a new Mauritanian cabinet. Mohamed Ould Moulaye Laghdaf was chosen to lead the transitional government. After signing the decree, Abdellahi called for unity among all Mauritanians and affirmed that the country would hold presidential elections next month.
Senegalese President to open new Mauritania mediation talks
2009-06-26 Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade arrived Thursday night (June 25th) in Nouakchott to begin a new round of Mauritania mediation talks, local and international press reported. He was accompanied by AU Commission chief Jean Ping and AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Ramtane Lamamra. Mediators will meet with all three rival political poles to reach reconciliation before next month's presidential elections. Representatives of the Arab League, the UN, EU and other world bodies will also participate in the talks.
Mauritania suspects allegedly linked to American's murder
2009-06-26 Mauritanian officials arrested two young men Thursday (June 25th) in Nouakchott as part of their investigation into the murder of American aid worker Christopher Leggett, PANA reported. Leggett, a computer teacher and NGO worker in the El Kasr neighbourhood of Nouakchott, was shot and killed by two unidentified assailants on Tuesday. In a statement aired Wednesday night on Qatari satellite TV channel Aljazeera, al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the murder.
