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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