Headlines Maghreb Mauritania

Mauritania: Blogger imprisoned for blasphemy set free, goes to Senegal

Mauritanian blogger Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mkheitir, initially sentenced to death for blasphemy, “regained his freedom” after more than five and a half years in detention and joined Senegal. He was “francophone Africa’s longest-held citizen-journalist,” stated Reporters Sans Frontières (Reporters Without Borders/RSF), which thanked all those who contributed to his release. The Mauritanian blogger was sued […]

Headlines Mauritania

Mauritania: Journalist arrested in wake of Presidential election released

Prominent Mauritanian journalist Ahmedou Ould Wedia was freed Monday after spending nearly two weeks in jail. He had been abducted on July 4 in the wake of late June Presidential elections. Ould Wedia was ordered free by West Nouakchott public prosecutor, Le360.ma reports. Reporter at private television channel “Morabitoune”, Ahmedou Ould Wedia is also an […]

Headlines Mauritania Morocco

Mauritania President Sends Written Message to Morocco’s King

Moroccan minister delegate for African Cooperation Mohcine Jazouli met, on Thursday in Niamey, with Mauritania’s Foreign Minister Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, who handed him a written message from President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz to King Mohammed VI. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 35th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the […]

Africa Energy Headlines International Mauritania

New gas discovery boosts Mauritania and Senegal production potential

Gas production potential bodes well for both Mauritania and Senegal after 30 meters of net gas pay was found in the greater Tortue Ahmeyim offshore project on the border between the two West African nations. The finding was made by Dallas-based operator Kosmos Energy, which has a joint-venture with BP in the area as well […]

Headlines Maghreb Mauritania

Mauritania: Constitutional Court Confirms Ghazouani as Next President

The Mauritanian constitutional court on Monday confirmed Mohamed Ould Ghazouani as the country’s next president, dismissing an appeal by opposition candidates over alleged voting irregularities.   “The candidate (Mohamed Ould Ghazouani) is proclaimed president, having acquired an absolute majority in the first round,” council member Haimoud Ba said at a press conference in Nouakchott. Mauritania’s […]

Headlines Mauritania

Mauritania: Reporters without Borders blasts internet blackout in wake of elections

Reporters without Borders (RSF) has condemned the cutting off of internet in Mauritania as part of moves to suppress protests that erupted following the victory of the ruling regime’s candidate at Saturday presidential elections. Mauritanian authorities suspended the internet service in the country right after the national electoral commission declared the victory of former General […]

Headlines Maghreb Mauritania Morocco

Morocco-Mauritania: King Mohammed VI Voices Firm Determination to work closely with President-elect Ghazouani to Strengthen Ties

King Mohammed VI has voiced his firm determination to work closely with the Mauritanian President-elect Mohamed Cheikh Mohamed Ahmed El Ghazouany to strengthen the fruitful cooperation ties binding the two countries.   This came in a message of congratulations he addressed to Ahmed El Ghazouany who has been declared winner of Saturday historical elections marking […]

Columns Headlines Maghreb Mauritania Opinions

Mauritania marks first peaceful transfer of power

The ruling party’s Mohamed Ould Ghazouani easily won Mauritania’s presidential elections marking a rare peaceful transfer of power in the African continent. Oul Ghazouani had secured 51.95% of the vote with counting completed in nearly all polling stations, the electoral commission data showed on Sunday. Ghazouani’s nearest rival, prominent anti-slavery activist Biram Dah Abeid had […]

Headlines Maghreb Mauritania

Mauritania at a crossroads with this weekend polls

Mauritanians are heading to polls this weekend to elect a new president in what is expected to be the West African country’s first peaceful transfer of power since independence from France in 1960. In the capital Nouakchott, where the desert’s vast expanses wash into the capital, tensions are growing after a campaign marred by violence. […]

Headlines Maghreb Mauritania

Mauritania: Human rights in midst of presidential election campaign

Amnesty International and 32 local human rights organizations have called on all candidates for this month’s presidential elections in Mauritania to sign a manifesto consisting of 12 commitments to promote and protect human rights in Mauritania. Mauritania’s next president must urgently tackle the country’s poor human rights record by taking a tougher stance against slavery, […]