The President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, has carried out a government reshuffle, triggered by the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Ismail Ould Cheikh Sidiya and his entire government. This resignation came after reports of an investigation into alleged high-level corruption in the previous administration indicted the Prime Minister and some members of his cabinet.
A nine-member parliamentary committee was set up in January to probe the financial dealings of the former head of state, Ould Abdel, who was in office between 2008 and 2019. The names of several former ministers, including Mr Ismail’s, appeared in the report with issues including handling of oil revenues, the sale of state-owned property in Nouakchott and the liquidation of a state-owned food company.
Issues to Consider
Mauritania ran a bicameral legislature until 2017 when the senate was abolished by the Ould Abdel Aziz government, via a popular referendum, and the National Assembly became the sole chamber of the legislature.
In July, the Mauritanian parliament adopted a law establishing a High Court with jurisdiction to hear cases of high treason against former heads of state and government ministers.
The president appointed a new Prime Minister and government a few hours after Ismail Ould resigned. The new government has similar heads as the previous one, with 18 former ministers reappointed.
The number of government ministries has also been reduced to 22.
Mauritanian prosecutors will open an investigation into the former head of state, Aziz, and the named ministers but the date for when the investigation will begin has not been provided yet.
President Ghazouani, who succeeded Aziz in August 2014, had previously served as his chief of staff and minister of defence.
Next Steps for Mauritania
Mr Ismail is being replaced with Mohamed Ould Bilal, a former presidential aide and cabinet minister. Mr Ismail and his new government are charged with the responsibility of working towards creating better economic reforms for Mauritania and reversing the uncertain political and economic outlook of the country.
