After eleven years of exile, Moustapha Ould Limam Chaffi, an influential opposition, and a Mauritanian politician were late to be back home. It was on a Sunday when he boarded a private jet from Doha, which had been his home for the last couple of years.
The former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz had issued an international arrest warrant on him. To secure his freedom, he fled to the capital city of Qatar in 2011. His arrest proceeded with allegations of colluding with terrorists. Ould Abdel Aziz accused Limam of having ties with the Jihadists in the Sahel, who were making the country insecure. Mauritania for some time has been rocked with terrorism. On 6th August 2008, Limam was against a military coup which targeted to usurp the former President Ould Cheikh. Chaffi and Aziz had a rocky relationship, thus contributing to their differences.
Aziz became the president after overthrowing Ould Cheikh. With the help of government military forces, he arrested the President rendering him powerless. After taking over, he issued an arrest warrant for Limam.
Limam Chaffi Comes Home
On his way home, he landed at Nouakchott International Airport, where a large crowd welcomed him. This is despite Limam warning the people not to flood because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing is one of the major prevention and control measures for Coronavirus.
His supporters were all over in the airport as they greeted and waved at him in excitement. Among those who were there to welcome him were his friends and former political exiles. One of the Aziz era, businessman and billionaire Mohamed Ould Bouamatou. He returned last month following a waiver of warrants in February. The other is former Army Commander Saleh Ould Hanena, who led a military uprising against former President Ould Taya in 2003.
Limam Chafi was happy to return home to his family. It’s clear his return symbolizes a transition in Mauritanian politics. Chafi believes this turn of events will provide opportunities for Mauritanians. They will voice out their opinions without fear. As Chafi spoke to reporters at his home, he said:
“We think it is a new page that is opening up in which all Mauritanians will have their place.”
Is Mauritania Any Better With The New Government?
President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani is the President of Mauritania. Limam is certain that Mauritania is going to be a democratic country. He embraces the change in the government with so much enthusiasm. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has been in power since 2019. Aziz first came to power in the poor West African state in a military coup in 2008, then won an election in 2009, followed by another in 2014. Unlike Aziz, the current president succeeded Aziz peacefully.
Under President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani’s government, Mauritania has released prominent politicians were in exile. His government has also dropped charges on the critics that the former regime detained. President Mohamed Ould Cheikh promises a peaceful and safe environment for the Mauritanians.
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