Mauritania braces for pivotal election amidst regional turmoil

In Mauritania, nearly 2 million people are set to vote in the upcoming presidential election, with incumbent President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani seeking a second term. Ghazouani, a former army chief who took office in 2019 after the country's first democratic transition, faces seven opponents, including anti-slavery activist Biram Dah Abeid and leaders of opposition parties. Despite accusations of corruption and clientelism from the opposition, Ghazouani's El Insaf party secured a significant victory in the previous legislative election. The European Union has pledged substantial financial support to Mauritania, including a 210 million-euro fund to combat people smuggling and a 22 million-euro allocation for an anti-terrorism battalion along the Mali border. Ghazouani has emphasized the importance of maintaining Mauritania's stability and territorial integrity during his campaign, while his rivals criticize his governance, citing mismanagement and lack of separation of powers. The country, rich in natural resources, struggles with high poverty rates, with nearly 60% of the population living in poverty, according to the United Nations. Despite concerns raised by opposition candidates, Mauritania has experienced a period of relative calm under Ghazouani's leadership, marked by efforts to address extremism through community engagement, Islamist mediation, and military modernization. The upcoming presidential election, scheduled for June 29th, is expected to be fair and peaceful, according to the UN. As the nation prepares for the polls, the focus remains on the candidates' platforms, the country's socio-economic challenges, and the potential implications of the election outcome on Mauritania's future trajectory.