Despite Controversy, Mauritanian President Re-Elected
A resounding win was achieved by President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritius in Saturday’s national vote, ensuring his re-election. The election commission said that Ghazouani won with more than 56% of the vote, easily defeating six opponents in the first round.
Biram Dah Abeid, an abolitionist who garnered 22% of the vote, came in second place. Third place went to Islamist Tewassoul party member Hamadi Sidi el-Mokhtar, who received 13% of the vote. On the other hand, Mr. Abeid has denounced the result of the election, calling it a “electoral coup.”
Hamadi Sidi el-Mokhtar had warned before the election that his party would reject the results if they suggested election fraud. The anxious mood preceding the vote was emphasized by this statement.
Maintaining Calm Amidst Uncertainty Abroad
A former army chief, President Ghazouani has been in office for five years and is widely seen to have stabilized Mauritania. There has been a lot of political turmoil and coups during his term. Although neighboring junta-led nations like Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have turned towards Russia in recent years, Ghazouani has kept diplomatic relations with these states while simultaneously maintaining relationships with Western powers like the US and France.
Unlike many of its Sahel neighbors, Mauritania has escaped Islamist insurgencies. But even though it’s illegal, slavery is still a major issue that the nation has to deal with today. Thousands of Black Mauritanians are enslaved, and anti-slavery campaigners in Mauritania frequently endure torture and incarceration. About 3% of Mauritania’s population is enslaved, according to the 2023 Global Slavery Index (GSI).
The Ongoing Resistance against Slavery by Abeid
This year was Biram Dah Abeid’s third run for president; he has spent a great deal of his life fighting against slavery. His action has brought the suffering of enslaved Mauritanians to the attention of the world, as his grandparents were slaves. After the official results were announced, Abeid declared that he would not accept them and accused the electoral body of vote-rigging. The so-called impartial electoral commission’s results will not be accepted, he proclaimed. To announce the winners, we will utilize our own electoral commission.
On the other hand, Abeid ran for office again in 2019 and came in second, behind Ghazouani. The fight against slavery in Mauritania is far from over, despite his best efforts; the country’s social fabric is gravely affected by systemic challenges.
Electoral Integrity and Voter Turnout
Approximately 55% of eligible voters cast ballots in this election, indicating a modest level of participation. Claims of fraud have cast doubt on the credibility of the voting process, casting a shadow over the outcomes. A number of issues, including the legitimacy and fairness of Mauritania’s electoral commission, have been brought to light by the last election.
Last but not least, Mauritania faces formidable obstacles in the form of slavery and questions of electoral integrity, even though President Ghazouani’s re-election represents stability and leadership continuity. Human rights violations must end and true democratic processes must be maintained, as the international community keeps a close eye on these developments.
