On July 1 2019, former Defense Chief Ould Ghazouani was confirmed by Mauritania’s Constitutional Council after receiving over 52% of votes in the first round of elections, evading a possible second round. This is the first near peaceful transfer of power in Mauritania since its independence from France in 1960.
A Lineup of Unfortunate Events
After the Presidential Elections took place on the 22nd of June, the internet was shut down the following day after Mohamed Ould Ghazouani declared himself the winner of the election. Following his declaration, opposition members launched an appeal alleging election irregularities but the appeal was turned down by Mauritania’s constitutional council.
This resulted in a series of protests which was met by a heavy crackdown on protesters and opposition members by security officials. Over 100 people were detained, including some opposition figures including Samba Thiam, the leader of the Progressist Forces for Change and Cheikhna Mohamed Lemine Cheikh, the campaign manager of the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement. They also raided the headquarters of the opposition candidate, Kane Hamidou Baba
The Minister of Interior, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and high-ranking officials in the police force claimed that the unrest was orchestrated by “foreign hands” from the neighbouring sub-Saharan African countries.
In reaction to this, the Mauritanian community in Cincinnati marched from Platt Park to the Freedom Center, calling for the end of dictatorship and slavery. They have also approached Congressman Steve Chabot, asking him to present a bill on their behalf in the American Congress.
Amnesty International West Africa Researcher, François Patuel said: “The authorities are justifying their heavy-handed repression by using tired rhetoric that blames foreign nationals from neighbouring countries for the election-related protests. This is toxic and highly problematic in a country that is still battling entrenched racial discrimination.”
The internet shut down in Mauritania prevented journalists, human rights activists and opposition members from accessing and exchanging information, however, this has been restored.
Yet, the country remains in absolute chaos as Mauritanians allege ongoing apartheid and unfair treatment of black Mauritanians as they continue to express their displeasure via Twitter.
