Mauritania: President Ould Abdel Aziz promises to quit power in 2019

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz has promised to quit power at the end of his term in 2019, reports say.

President Ould Abdel Aziz announced his decision during a meeting with Western diplomats accredited to Nouakchott.

Former army general Ould Abdel Aziz came to power following a military coup in 2008 which toppled former President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi.

He won elections and became President in 2009 after heading the High Council of State which he established after deposing President Abdallahi. He was re-elected in August 2014 for another five-year term.

President Ould Abdel Aziz’s decision to respect the constitution may placate speculations and anger of the opposition which went public to denounce the President when he recently indicated that he was ready to discuss constitutional changes. For the opposition this only means that he seeks to stay further in power.

The opposition deems President Ould Abdel Aziz’s regime undemocratic and dialogue proposed by the regime to ease tensions has been delayed with major political parties doubting Nouakchott’s real faith.