Mauritania gears up for its upcoming presidential election on June 29, with incumbent Mohamed Ould Ghazouani facing competition from six other candidates in a diverse field seeking to lead the West African nation.
Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, aged 67, seeks a second term amidst his tenure marked by challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the promise of economic growth driven by offshore gas resources. A former general and defense minister, Ghazouani assumed office in 2019 after what was hailed as Mauritania’s first peaceful transfer of power since gaining independence from France in 1960. His administration has prioritized security, particularly in light of neighboring Mali’s insurgency, and his party, El Insaf, holds a parliamentary majority following last year’s legislative elections.
Challenging Ghazouani is Biram Dah Abeid, 59, a prominent anti-slavery activist and member of parliament. Abeid, who has been jailed multiple times, gained international recognition for his efforts against slavery in Mauritania. He secured second place in both the 2014 and 2019 elections, garnering significant support from Mauritania’s youth and the Haratin community, traditionally enslaved as cattle herders and domestic servants.
Ba Mamadou Bocar, leader of the Alliance for Justice and Democracy-Movement for Renewal party, appeals to Mauritania’s Black population. Imprisoned in the 1980s for his nationalist activism advocating for slavery abolition and equality, Bocar brings a history of advocacy to his presidential bid.
Id Mohameden M’Bareck, a 45-year-old lawyer and first-time presidential contender, focuses his campaign on anti-corruption reforms and justice. M’Bareck aims to attract support from the Haratin community, presenting himself as a formidable challenger to Abeid.
Mohamed Lemine El Mourtaji El Wafi, 47, an economist, is running for the second time after a minimal showing in the 2019 election, while neurosurgeon Otouma Antoine Slimane Soumaré, who returned to Mauritania after years abroad, brings a unique perspective to the political landscape.
Hamadi Sidi El Mokhtar, a member of parliament representing the Tawassoul party, marks the party’s first foray into presidential elections. With a platform centered on Islam and national unity, El Mokhtar seeks to unify Mauritania’s diverse ethnic groups under a common religious identity.
The presidential election is poised to test the political dynamics of Mauritania, a country historically marked by military coups and ethnic divisions, as voters decide the future direction amidst economic challenges and security concerns.