Mauritania: Former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz Faces 20-Year Prison Sentence for Corruption

In a high-profile corruption trial in Mauritania, prosecutors have requested on Monday February 24 a 20-year prison sentence for former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. The charges stem from his abuse of power while in office, which allegedly allowed him to accumulate vast personal wealth. The prosecutor, Magistrate Sidi Mohamed Ould Di Ould Moulay, accused Ould Abdel Aziz of using the presidency as a platform to blackmail investors, turning the office into a tool for personal gain. Aziz has been in custody since January 2023, following his indictment on charges of unlawful enrichment, abuse of office, and money laundering.

Ould Abdel Aziz, who served as Mauritania’s president for over a decade, was initially sentenced to five years in prison in December 2023. However, his legal team appealed the ruling, and the case is currently under review. During his time in office, Ould Abdel Aziz helped bring stability to Mauritania, a country that had been marked by coups and jihadist activity. However, his legacy took a sharp turn after he stepped down in 2019 and handed over power to his former ally, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. Since then, Aziz has found himself entangled in a corruption investigation, which has cast a shadow over his previous achievements.

Several former high-ranking officials and Ould Abdel Aziz’s close relatives are also being tried for alleged participating in unlawful enrichment and other criminal activities. Despite the mounting charges, the former president has consistently denied any wrongdoing. His defense team is expected to its arguments in court this Tuesday, although the final verdict on the appeal has not yet been scheduled. The case marks a significant moment in Mauritania’s ongoing struggle to address corruption and ensure accountability at the highest levels of government.