President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani of Mauritania has secured a comfortable victory in the country’s recent presidential election, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). Ghazouani, a former army chief, garnered just over 56% of the vote, granting him a second consecutive five-year term. This election marks a significant moment for Mauritania, poised to become a major gas producer in the near future.
Supporters gathered in large numbers outside Ghazouani’s campaign headquarters in the capital city of Nouakchott upon the announcement of the final provisional results. “I don’t know how to express my joy. Our president is a great president. We are very happy,” remarked Bekouma Mohamed, reflecting the mood among Ghazouani’s supporters.
Ghazouani’s main contender, anti-slavery activist Biram Dah Abeid, secured just over 22% of the vote. Abeid, who had earlier expressed concerns about electoral fraud, has called for peaceful protests pending the release of his own team’s findings. Reports of minor disturbances emerged late Sunday in Nouakchott, prompting increased security measures by authorities.
Mauritania, unlike many of its Sahelian neighbors, has maintained relative stability and security under Ghazouani’s leadership, with no reported terrorist attacks since 2011. This stability has been a cornerstone of Ghazouani’s administration, particularly significant amid regional instability and ongoing threats of extremism in the Sahel.
