Post-coup Mauritania holds presidential vote Jul 19, 2009
A former army general who seized power by overthrowing this Islamic republic's first freely elected president last year is gunning for Mauritania's presidency again _ this time legitimately, through the ballot box ... While Washington never recognized Aziz's junta, it is keen to maintain Mauritania as a bulwark against the terror group and prevent the moderate Muslim nation from sliding toward extremism ... All three men are promising to put Mauritania back on the democratic path. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
* Mauritanians hold vote for president Jul 19, 2009
Mauritanians hold vote for president ... Residents walk past a sign supporting last years coup leader, General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, for president with the slogan constructive change, in the poor neighborhood of Hay Sakin in Nouakchott, Mauritania, on Friday ... A former military general who ousted Mauritanias first freely elected president was vying yesterday to become its legitimate ruler in elections expected to return power to civilian rule. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Mauritanians vote in first post-coup poll Jul 19, 2009
NOUAKCHOTT, July 18 (Reuters) - Mauritanians voted on Saturday in an election meant to signal to donors and investors the country is ready to rejoin the international community after a much-criticised military coup last August ... Abdel Aziz's promises of food and fuel price cuts are likely to endear him to Mauritanians, 40 percent of whom live under the poverty line ... Mauritania is an ally of the West in the fight against the group, though the international marginalisation that began after... (AlertNet)
Mauritania gears up for elections Jul 18, 2009
Gen Abdelaziz ousted Mauritania's only democratically elected leader. Mauritania is gearing up for its first presidential election since a military coup in August 2008 on Saturday ... Mauritanian journalist Hamdi el-Hacen says the elections have been the most hotly contested in some time. (BBC News -- Africa)
Q&A: Mauritania elections Jul 18, 2009
Mauritanians are due to elect a new president on 18 July after 11 months of military rule ... Any Mauritanian citizen can stand for the presidency, expect for those serving in the military or who have a criminal record ... They must also be Mauritanian-born, Muslim and aged 40-75. (BBC News -- Africa)
• Post-coup Mauritania election begins Jul 18, 2009
com: Post-coup Mauritania election begins ... Post-coup Mauritania election begins. (Herald Sun)
Anti-slavery candidate fans hope Jul 13, 2009
Nick Meo in Nouakchott, Mauritania ... A YEAR after she ran away from her master, Barakatu Mint Sayed prays that next Saturday's election will mark the beginning of the end of slavery in Mauritania ... His prospects of winning power are growing by the day - and he is being hailed as Mauritania's brightest star by his supporters. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Disney sets out to make 'The Passion for kids' Jul 12, 2009
"We either go now or we don't go ever,'' he said. Having won plaudits for her BBC series about horse-loving peoples, Alexandra Tolstoy is planning a television programme on another subject close to her heart. Mandrake hears that the 35-year-old daughter of Count Nikolai Tolstoy is considering a series about Russian high society. John Humphrys, who called for the legalisation of euthanasia in his book The Welcome Visitor, has claimed that his first wife was helped to die by her nurses. Keen to... (Yahoo News -- 'The Passion of the Christ')
Obama in Ghana Preaches Unity and Action Jul 12, 2009
Recent years have brought coups to Mauritania, Madagascar and Guinea, and distorted or disputed elections in Nigeria, Kenya and Zimbabwe. It was to this continued unrest that Obama seemed to direct his message, which was clearly scripted more for an African audience than an American one. (Time.com)
NYT: Ghana visit points to Africa's instability Jul 11, 2009
Some backsliding'The list of exploding countries, unstable countries, corrupt countries, is long. Military coups still break out with regularity, as in Guinea and Mauritania within the last year. Journalists in a number of countries continue to be killed, jailed, tortured, forced into exile or otherwise muzzled. (MSNBC -- Race)
Ghana: Obama Visit Should Highlight Rights [press release] Jul 10, 2009
Obama's visit also allows the new Ghanaian government to make clear its commitment to genuinely free, fair, and transparent elections in West Africa - Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Mauritania all go to the polls in the coming months. Be the first to. (allAfrica.com)
8,000 Artists Celebrate In Panafrican Festival Jul 10, 2009
Other countries, meanwhile, are teetering from recent coups, such as Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea and Mauritania. "Maybe culture, which is Africa's greatest wealth, can offer an answer," Benhamadi said. (CBS News -- World)
Africa united against comeback of coups Jul 3, 2009
Madagascar is the third country to be deprived of AU membership following a coup, after Mauritania and Guinea ... Following the coups, the AU, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) respectively suspended Mauritania, Guinea and Madagascar ... With the help of the international community, African leaders have persuaded the opposition and the military junta in Mauritaniato hold the presidential election on July 18. (Xinhuanet, China)
African summit opens in Libya without Iran leader Jul 2, 2009
Also, the AU Executive Council announced late Tuesday it was lifting sanctions against Mauritania despite the coup held there 10 months ago ... Mauritania has been ruled by a military junta since August. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
African Union lifts sanctions against Mauritania Jul 1, 2009
African Union Sanctions lifted on Mauritania ... ADDIS ABABA, July 1 (Reuters) - The African Union has lifted sanctions on Mauritania because of steps it is taking to restore democracy this month, the body said in a statement on Wednesday ... The African Union suspended Mauritania after the army overthrew the elected president in August last year and imposed visa and travel bans on members of the junta and its supporters. (AlertNet)
* Government fills transition posts in Mauritania Jun 28, 2009
Government fills transition posts in Mauritania ... The transitional government that will lead Mauritania into presidential elections next month was appointed on Friday after disputes that threatened to unravel an internationally brokered pact were overcome ... The installation of a transitional government was foreseen under an agreement signed on June 4 by all Mauritanian parties just days before a controversial presidential election was to go forward. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Mauritania President Gives Up Claim To Power Jun 28, 2009
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania, Jun ... (AP) More than 10 months after being overthrown in a military coup, Mauritania's first freely elected president has given up his claim to power and officially resigned ... Mauritania has been ruled by a military junta since August, but President Sidi Cheikh Ould Abdallahi has maintained he is the legal president. (CBS News -- World)
Mauritania's new govt Jun 27, 2009
This undated picture shows General Ould Abdel Aziz (R) in an undisclosed place in Mauritania. Troops led by Abdel Aziz overthrew Mauritania\'s President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi in a military coup on 6 August, 2008 ... The transitional government that will lead Mauritania into presidential elections next month was appointed after disputes that threatened to unravel an internationally brokered pact were overcome. (iAfrica.com)
Al-Qaida Says Kills US Aid Worker In Mauritania Jun 25, 2009
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania, Jun ... Mauritania: Al-Qaida Claims Responsibility For Slaying Of US Aid Worker ... (AP) Al-Jazeera TV says Al-Qaida's North Africa branch has claimed responsibility for the killing of an American aid worker shot dead this week in Mauritania's capital. (CBS News -- World)
Full Story » Jun 25, 2009
TV: Al-Qaida says it killed American in Mauritania - Yahoo ... TV: Al-Qaida says it killed American in Mauritania ... NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania Al-Jazeera TV said Al-Qaida's North Africa branch claimed responsibility Thursday for the killing of an American aid worker who was shot dead this week in Mauritania's capital. (Yahoo News -- Top Stories)
ECOWAS to pay G'Bissau troops, shifts single currency date Jun 23, 2009
" The summit, which was also presided over by Yar'Adua, opted to launch the WAMZ Monitory Union on or before January 2015. It also approved the adoption of an Action Plan in the state of preparedness report to be implemented by member-states between 2009 and 2015 to achieve convergence as well as structural and institutional benchmarks under the Banjul Action Plan. Other decisions taken by the leaders included the extension of the mandate of West African Monetary Institution (WAMI) from 2010 to... (Guardian News, Nigeria)
A stop sign for human trafficking Jun 21, 2009
He singled out the West African countries of Chad, Mauritania, and Niger. Human trafficking occurs in every country, including the United States which for the first time will be rated in next year's report. (Yahoo News)
Mauritania: Parties Agree on Interim Govt, Election Date Jun 5, 2009
com: Mauritania: Parties Agree on Interim Govt, Election Date (Page 1 of 1). Mauritania: Parties Agree on Interim Govt, Election Date ... Mauritanian parties have agreed to form a transitional government to replace the military regime installed in a coup last year, pending elections to be held in July. (allAfrica.com)
Mauritania rivals agree to polls Jun 4, 2009
Rival parties in Mauritania have agreed to postpone Saturday's presidential election until 18 July ... Hundreds of Mauritanians gathered at the capital's airport to welcome the negotiators home from Senegal, AFP news agency reports ... After August's coup, the African Union suspended Mauritania from its membership and imposed travel bans and asset freezes on officials. (BBC News -- Africa)
Presidential quiz May 9, 2009
Mr President, what is your policy towards military takeover in Guinea and Mauritania ... Mr President are you in a position to do what General Abacha did in Sierra Leone - for instance take on the military in Guinea or Mauritania ... I hope you read the circumstances surrounding the decisions taken by ECOWAS. Clearly people [in Guinea and Mauritania] did not go into power with a mandate from the people. (BBC News -- Africa)
Africa: Statement by Johnnie Carson at Confirmation Hearing Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Apr 30, 2009
In the past twelve months, African militaries have intervened illegally and unconstitutionally in four different countries Madagascar, Guinea Bissau, Guinea (Conakry) and Mauritania. And deeply flawed elections in a number of countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe, have caused deep concern at home and abroad. (allAfrica.com)
US-Israeli Differences Over Palestinians Emerge Apr 17, 2009
"Past prime ministers were prepared to make wide-ranging concessions, and the result of the Olmert-Livni government was the second Lebanon war, the operation in Gaza, severance of relations with Qatar and Mauritania, Gilad Schalit still in captivity and the peace process at a dead end," Lieberman's statement said. Schalit is an Israeli soldier held by Hamas-linked militants in Gaza for nearly three years. (Newsmax)
Mauritanian Senate chair sworn in as acting presidentNouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) - The Mauritanian Senate chairman, Mamadou Ba, wasWednesday sworn in as acting president of the country following the resignationof General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, head of the military junta, which came to power via a coup on 6 August 2008. 16/04/2009 Full Text... Apr 17, 2009
Mauritanian Senate chair sworn in as acting president. Mauritanian Senate chair sworn in as acting president ... Nouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) - The Mauritanian Senate chairman, Mamadou Ba, was Wednesday sworn in as acting president of the country following the resignation. (Panapress.com)
Rights groups urge Africa to cooperate with ICC over DarfurSudan President to visit Egypt despite arrest warrantNigerian paper urges Sudanese leader to appear before ICC1 killed in ambush of 6 Darfur peacekeepers UN envoy condemns latest acts of piracy in SomaliaUNHCR faults Kenya govt over refoulement of Somali asylum seekersUNHCR relocates Somali refugees in EthiopiaUN envoy condemns attack on Somali Interior Minister Vita of Kinshasa beats Malanti Chiefs of Mbabane in CAF cupSarkozy begins DR Congo visitSarkozy to visit 3 African countries from 26 MarchDR Congo appoints new Ambassador to Belgium Ivorian Prime Minister urges mutinous soldiers to remain calmGbagbo: "Whoever delays Ivorian elections is a criminal"Gbagbo reaffirms his desire for Ivorian peaceGbagbo signs Ivorian amnesty law ON THE WIRE Mauritanian junta leader for June presidential electionNouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) - Mauritanian ruling junta leader, Gen. MohamedOuld Abdel Aziz, has formally announced that he will contest the country's presidential election on 6 June 2009, ending speculations on the matter. 13/04/2009 Full Text... Apr 14, 2009
Mauritanian junta leader for June presidential election. Mauritanian junta leader for June presidential election ... Nouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) - Mauritanian ruling junta leader, Gen. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, has formally announced that he will contest the country's presi dential election on 6 June 2009, ending speculations on the matter. (Panapress.com)
Gov't Encouraged by Obamas Cooperation Promise Apr 13, 2009
President Obama also reportedly praised Ghana for its democratic process at a time when he said there was growing instability across Africa with recent coups in Mauritania, Guinea and Madagascar. Haruna Iddrissu is Ghana's communications minister. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Mauritania: Thank You for Reparations - But Where is the Justice? Apr 3, 2009
com: Mauritania: Thank You for Reparations - But Where is the Justice ... Mauritania: Thank You for Reparations - But Where is the Justice ... Nouakchott Twenty years after a military regime killed hundreds of mostly black Mauritanians, another military government is promising to compensate their families. (allAfrica.com)
Stop Complaining, Ghanaian Muslims! Mar 30, 2009
I hope Mr. Nuamah is aware of the fact that the same cannot be said of Muslim-majority nation-states like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Morocco, poverty-ravaged Mauritania, just to name a few. In the preceding countries, Christianity is either utterly proscribed or monitored to a degree that is both insulting and antithetical to the wellbeing of its practitioners. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Nigerian paper urges Sudanese leader to appear before ICC1 killed in ambush of 6 Darfur peacekeepersEgypt shows more support for el-BashirSudanese diplomat denounces Western powers over al-Bashir Kenya signs landmark pact to collect taxes for SomaliaAbducted UN staff in Somalia released unharmedUN seeks release of 4 aid workers in SomaliaSomali leader begins 2-day working visit to Burundi DR Congo normalises relations with western neighboursFrench President Sarkozy expected in Kinshasa next weekDRC citizens to obtain biometric passport in AprilInt'l mini-marathon slated for 29 March in Kinshasa Ivorian Prime Minister urges mutinous soldiers to remain calmGbagbo: "Whoever delays Ivorian elections is a criminal"Gbagbo reaffirms his desire for Ivorian peaceGbagbo signs Ivorian amnesty law ON THE WIRE OIF to suspend MadagascarParis, France (PANA) - The Secretary-General of the InternationalOrganisation of the Francophony (OIF), Mr Abdou Diouf, has convened anextraordinary session of the Permanent Council of the Francophony(CPF) to decide on the country's suspension until the restoration ofconstitutional order. 22/03/2009 Full Text... Mar 22, 2009
According to the statute of the OIF, any member country where an unconstitutional takeover of power occurs will be suspended, and this was applied in the cases of Guinea and Mauritania. Last week, former Antananarivo Mayor Andry Rajoelina forcefully assumed Madagascar's presidency, after ousting President Marc Ravalomanana. (Panapress.com)
After Gaza, Israel grapples with crisis of isolation Mar 20, 2009
Mauritania has closed Israel's embassy. Relations with Turkey, an important Muslim ally, have suffered severely. (International Herald Tribune)
Army-backed leader cements grip in Madagascar Mar 19, 2009
After recent coups in Mauritania and Guinea as well as the killing of Guinea-Bissau's leader, Mr. Ravalomanana's fall raises doubts over the durability of democracies elsewhere in Africa. South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, who is chairman of the SADC regional trade bloc, denounced the change of power. (Globe and Mail)
Is a global rebranding what Israel needs? Mar 19, 2009
Mauritania has closed the Israeli Embassy. Relations with Turkey, an important Muslim ally, have suffered severely. (International Herald Tribune)
Young leader takes power in Madagascar Mar 18, 2009
After recent coups in Mauritania and Guinea as well as the killing of Guinea-Bissau's leader, Ravalomanana's fall raises doubts over the durability of democracies elsewhere in Africa. That could further damage investor sentiment towards the continent, which had improved in the last few years partly as a result of a decrease in the frequency of coups and a perception that democracy was becoming better entrenched. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Everything in moderation, and other letters Mar 16, 2009
Regarding your editorial How risky is that drink. (March 13): Medical researchers should know that many of us now read news of their latest findings as comedy, not as helpful advice. (International Herald Tribune -- Ed/Op)
Bin Laden calls for Iraq's 'liberation' Mar 15, 2009
"The countries of the Muslim world from Indonesia to Mauritania are divided into two: Some of them are crooked, while others are even more crooked," he added, in excerpts of the tape aired by the Doha, Qatar-based channel. In the tape, whose authenticity could not be confirmed, bin Laden labeled the devastating offensive by Israel against at the new year as a holocaust. (Insight on the News)
Staff leave Israeli embassy in Mauritania Mar 6, 2009
Staff left the Israeli embassy in the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott Friday, a Reuters witness said. Diplomatic relations between Mauritania, one of only three Arab countries to have full ties with the Jewish state, have been strained since Israel launched a military offensive in the Gaza Strip in late December ... Earlier Friday, Gulf TV broadcaster Al-Arabiya said Mauritania had given the Israeli ambassador 48 hours to leave the country. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
Guinea-Bissau speaker is sworn in Mar 4, 2009
The AU suspended neighbouring Guinea and Mauritania after coups last year. Guinea-Bissau's army has denied it is launching a coup and has promised to honour the constitution. (BBC News)
New Guinea-Bissau president sworn in Mar 4, 2009
However, during the talks, the pan-African body didn't decide to suspend Guinea-Bissau's membership, as were Mauritania and Guinea following coups last year. The council requested the AU Commission, the executive arm of the pan-African body, "to submit to the council, within 30 days, a report on the situation in Guinea-Bissau, with recommendations for concrete action to be taken," said the communique. (Xinhuanet, China)
West Africas burdened democracy Feb 26, 2009
The report notes that among West African states that are partly free or not free democratically are Guinea-Bissau, Cote dIvoire, the Gambia, Niger, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, the Gambia, Mauritania, Guinea, and Togo. Only Mali, Ghana, Cape Verde and Benin are democratically free out of the 15 Ecowas states. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Tennis Diplomacy in the Gulf: No Love Match Feb 19, 2009
Currently three Arab countries Jordan, Egypt and Mauritania have relations with Israel ... Mauritania withdrew its ambassador to Israel. (Time.com)
Khaddafi mediates Mauritania crisis Feb 16, 2009
DAKAR, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Libyan leader Muammar Khaddafi, the newly elected rotating chairperson of the African Union (AU), is mediating the political crisis in Mauritania being sanctioned by the pan-African bloc since the military junta seized power in August. The Dakar-based Pan African News Agency (PANA) reported on Sunday that a Libyan envoy visited Mauritania between Wednesday and Saturday to meet rival politicians and prepare a plan to bring the North African country out of the crisis ...... (Xinhuanet, China)
How Will Gadaffi Fare At the Helm of the African Union? Feb 8, 2009
He ruffled no feathers in Zimbabwe, Sudan or Mauritania. He turned a blind eye to the two coups that took place during his chairmanship. (allAfrica.com)
Sanctions put on Mauritania junta Feb 7, 2009
The African Union (AU) has imposed sanctions, including a travel ban and a check on bank accounts, on Mauritania's military junta, it has announced ... He seized power in August 2008 from Mauritania's first democratically elected president ... Spanish news agency Efe quotes sources close to Mauritania's military leader as saying that he told ministers on Thursday that he would contest the June poll. (BBC News -- Africa)
