Mauritania’s Ruling Party Wins Parliamentary Elections

Mauritania’s ruling Union for the Republic party (UPR) swept legislative polls entrenching its position as the victor.

Led by President Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz, the party increased its presence in Parliament with an additional 22 seats in the polls that took place on September 15, bringing its majority to 89 in the 157-seat parliament.

The ruling party ensued a meagre victory in municipal elections in a country considered as a frontline in the war on terrorism in the Sahel region.

Abdelaziz, 61, came to power in a coup in 2008. He won elections in 2009 and again in 2014 for a second five-year term.

His term was marred by human rights abuses as Mauritania continues to be rebuked for the prevailing slavery practices.