Mauritania: Presidential elections set for June 21

Incumbent Mauritania President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. PHOTO/File

Mauritania will hold presidential elections on June 21, according to the presidency, despite a lack of agreement on the reform of election rules that some opposition leaders argue will likely ensure the return to power of President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.

Abdel Aziz is yet to say if he will stand, however some observers say he will likely run. He has been in power since 2008.

A statement from the presidency said potential candidates had until May 8 to declare their intention to stand. So far, anti-slavery activist Biram Ould Abeid is the only one to do so.

The statement came after weeks of talks between the ruling party and opposition parties failed to reach agreement on the election’s date and rules.

Opposition parties say the electoral commission, which will oversee the poll, favors the president as it is currently constituted because its members are close to him.

Moussa Fall, executive director of the opposition Forum for Democracy and Unity, denounced the communique and said by naming an election date the ruling majority was effectively unilaterally suspending those talks.

Ten opposition parties, including the main Rally of Democratic Forces (RFD) party led by Ahmed Ould Daddah, boycotted legislative elections in December.

Source: Reuters