Mauritania Presidential Election 2024: Who are the candidates?

As Mauritania prepares for a crucial presidential election, seven candidates have thrown their hats into the ring, seeking to lead the Sahel country of 4.5 million people.

Among them is the incumbent president, Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazouani, seeking to secure another term in office. But who are the other contenders, and what do they bring to the table? This article delves into the backgrounds and campaign promises of the seven presidential candidates.

Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazouani

Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazouani, 67, is the incumbent president of Mauritania and leader of the El Insaf party. As a retired general and former chief of staff of the Mauritanian army, he resigned from military service in 2019 to contest the presidency.

He assumed office later that year after winning 52%  of the vote, succeeding former president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who stepped aside after a decade in power. Since taking office, Ghazouani has maintained relative stability in Mauritania amid the escalating violence in the Sahel region.

In his 2024 campaign, he pledges to strengthen national unity, improve living conditions for the poor, ensure security and stability, and combat corruption.

Mohamed Lemine El Mourtaja El Wavi

Mohamed Lemine El Mourtaja El Wavi, 42, is an independent candidate in the upcoming presidential election. He has been actively campaigning for votes, urging citizens to support him, and promising to implement reforms that addresses the country's pressing challenges.

Hamadi Sidi El Mokhtar Mohamed Abdi

Hamadi Sidi El Mokhtar Mohamed Abdi is the flagbearer of the National Rally for Reform and Development, also known as Tewassoul. At a campaign rally to outline his electoral campaign plan, Abdi pledged to empower women and involve them in all areas of life, in line with Islamic teachings.

He highlighted the electricity, water, healthcare crisis and other essential services in parts of the North African country, criticizing past regimes for failing to address these issues despite the country's abundant resources.

Otouma Antoine Souleimane Soumaré

Otouma Antoine Souleimane Soumaré, a distinguished neurosurgeon, is running as an independent candidate in the 2024 Mauritania presidential elections. His campaign is strongly focused on social justice, with a promise to amend the constitution to ensure it benefits everyone, regardless of their background.

Mamadou Bocar Ba

Mamadou Bocar Bâ is the leader of the Alliance for Justice and Democracy/ Renewal Movement. His campaign message for the 2024 elections revolves around state reforms based on equality, justice, and equity, while also addressing issues such as linguistic discrimination, land ownership and bureaucracy.

El-Id Mohameden M’bareck

El-Id Mohameden M’bareck is the presidential candidate for the Republican Front for Unity and Democracy or Hope Mauritania coalition.  He is a lawyer-activist known for his work against racial discrimination. M’bareck is committed to addressing social justice issues and advocating for equal rights for all Mauritanians.

Biram Dah Abeid

Biram Dah Abeid, 59, is the leader of the Refoundation for a Global Action Alliance (RAG). He ran in the 2019 elections and came second, obtaining 19% of the votes. He is known for his anti-slavery and human rights activism and gained significant recognition for his advocacy work. His campaign focuses on combating slavery, promoting human rights, and ensuring justice and equality for all citizens.

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