Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has directed the Government to fully implement recommendations from an independent inquiry into fires at two electrical transformer substations in Nouakchott.
The fires occurred at the Nouakchott-North and Nouakchott-West substations on August 18 and 21, 2026, respectively, causing extensive damage and disrupting electricity supply.
Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay announced the directive during an interministerial Committee meeting this Thursday, October 8, 2026. He said the recommendations included administrative sanctions against officials whose errors or negligence contributed to the incidents and legal action against those who violated relevant laws and regulations.
The commission, chaired by former minister Ousmane Mamoudou Kane, submitted its final report on Tuesday, October 6, after receiving a one-week extension.
The Prime Minister ordered the immediate rehabilitation of the damaged substations and the introduction of preventive measures to avert similar incidents. He also directed authorities to prepare an organisational and development plan for the Mauritanian Electricity Company to improve service delivery and investment management.
President Ghazouani further instructed the government to publish the inquiry report in the interest of transparency. Implementation of the recommendations is expected to begin immediately.
