Mauritania, a West African nation known for its relative stability in the Sahel region, witnessed its first local elections on Saturday, May 13. This event marks a significant milestone since President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani assumed office in 2019, and it is being closely observed as a litmus test for the leader’s popularity before the upcoming presidential elections, for which he has yet to confirm his candidacy.
President Ghazouani, who has played a pivotal role in maintaining the country’s stability amid the violence-ridden Sahel, is widely anticipated to seek re-election. The local elections are seen as an opportunity to gauge public sentiment and assess the prospects for his political future.
One voter, Mahfoud, expressed his aspirations for the elections, stating, “We hope these elections will bring forth patriotic individuals who will prioritize economic growth and reduce unemployment.”
Out of the 25 parties competing for support from approximately 1.8 million eligible voters, Ghazouani’s El Insaf party is considered the frontrunner. The election will determine 176 members of parliament, 15 regional councils, and 238 municipal councils.
El Insaf is the only party fielding candidates in all constituencies across the country, further solidifying its position as a leading contender in the May 13 elections.
Another voter, Zahra, emphasized the importance of candidates fulfilling their promises to voters, particularly regarding the development of all areas, with a special focus on empowering women.
El Insaf’s primary challengers in these elections are the Islamist movement Tewassoul, the primary opposition party in the outgoing parliament, and the Arab nationalist Sawab party.
The results from the initial round of voting are expected to be announced within 48 hours of the polls closing. A second round is scheduled for May 27, during which half of the 176 National Assembly seats will be contested.
In a notable development, voters have the opportunity to select a list specifically composed of candidates under the age of 35, with 11 seats in the National Assembly reserved for this category. This initiative aims to foster youth representation in the political landscape.
President Ghazouani, 66, is a military general widely regarded as one of the key architects behind Mauritania’s success in combating jihadism during his tenure as army chief. The nation’s population comprises Arab-Berber Moors, Afro-Mauritanian descendants of slaves, and various other sub-Saharan African groups.
Having prioritized the fight against poverty, President Ghazouani has implemented an ambitious social program that includes distributing food and financial assistance to the most vulnerable citizens. However, the country’s economy has experienced a slowdown due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, while rising inflation caused by the conflict in Ukraine has escalated concerns about the cost of living.
El Insaf previously held a comfortable majority in the outgoing parliament, leading analysts to predict limited challenges from competing parties. The Tewassoul Islamists, advocating for the strict application of Islamic law, are expected to maintain their status as the primary opposition group in parliament. Sawab party has formed an alliance with anti-slavery activist Biram Dah Abeid, the runner-up in the last presidential election, who has long been a vocal advocate for the rights of descendants of slaves, a community to which he belongs.
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