MAURITANIA: Presidential campaign in full swing as candidates gear up for upcoming election

Record ID: 345221

  • Title: MAURITANIA: Presidential campaign in full swing as candidates gear up for upcoming election
  • Date: 13th July 2009
  • Summary: NOUAKCHOTT, MAURITANIA (JULY 11, 2009) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WAITING FOR MOHAMED OULD ABDEL AZIZ AT A RALLY ABDEL AZIZ, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND FORMER HEAD OF THE JUNTA, ARRIVING AT A RALLY VARIOUS OF ABDEL AZIZ ON STAGE GREETING THE CROWD VARIOUS OF PEOPLE HOLDING POSTERS OF ABDEL AZIZ (SOUNDBITE) (French) FATOU SORO, ABDEL AZIZ SUPPORTERS SAYING: "I have been part of
  • Embargoed: 28th July 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mauritania
  • Country: Mauritania
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA1PXGGAMXP3BJ1T3D4KEM2XSY6
  • Story Text: Mauritania's presidential campaign is in full swing as candidates gear up for upcoming presidential election, scheduled for July 18th.
    A delay to the poll date, which were initially planned for June 6th, has widened the field of candidates, allaying fears that the election would be a one-horse race and fall well short of what would be needed to bring Mauritania back into the international fold.
    Presidential guardsman General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz overthrew the iron-ore producer's first freely elected leader, Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi last August and had originally promised elections on June 6.
    But opposition parties rejected the timeframe, saying it had been imposed without consultation. Diplomats and analysts said a largely uncontested poll would not mark a return to constitutional order in the Islamic republic.
    The junta last month agreed to delay the polls until July and set up an interim administration to organise them. The delay has bought time for challengers to Abdel Aziz's re-election.
    On June 26, Ousted president Abdallahi announced his resignation and puts in place a new unity government under a deal with the soldiers who toppled him to allow a presidential election this month.
    Presidential campaign is in its second week and supporters have come out in great number to support their candidates.
    "I have been part of the opposition since 1992, and when he made the coup, I was against it and I was disappointed in him. But after a while, I saw him leading the country, and he did a lot for the country, and he was humble enough to ask for forgiveness, on behalf of Mauritania, for what happened between 1989 till 1992," said Fatou Soro, a supporter of Abdel Aziz at campaign rally.
    Anti-junta coalition the National Front for the Defense of Democracy (NFDD) is also taking part, with National Assembly President Messaoud Ould Boulkheir seen as a candidate for the grouping.
    "Messaoud was not very well known, but during these last ten months, Messaoud has shown strength and has now gained the admiration of many. He has became a popular political leader in the world and in the country," said Ladji Traore, Ould Boulkheir campaign manager.
    Hamdi Ould Mahjoub, Mauritania's National Independent Electoral commission's president says the country is fully prepared for the polls and voter registration are running smoothly.
    "We haven't come across any irregularities, we know that there were some difficulties for people to register on the electoral lists, but every time the national independent commission intervenes, the problem was solved. So there hasn't been any irregularities, there might be some technical problems but no irregularities," said Mahjoub.
    Analysts and politicians had widely expected Abdel Aziz to cruise to victory had the polls been held on June 6, but the wider field -- including heavyweight figures from the political scene -- is likely to make for a tighter race.
    Mauritania, which lies on the western edge of the Sahara straddling Arab and black Africa, is one of the world's poorest countries. Its main products are fish, livestock and iron ore, although offshore oil reserves may promise a better economy.
    Mauritania has been targeted by Al Qaeda's North Africa wing but U.S. support for its armed forces has dried up since last year's coup, with Washington demanding the return to constitutional rule before they resume cooperation.
    Analysts and politicians had widely expected Abdel Aziz to cruise to victory had the polls been held on June 6, but the wider field -- including heavyweight figures from the political scene -- is likely to make for a tighter race.
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