You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Africa North
Mauritania's coup leaders name new PM
2008-08-16
Mauritania's junta brushed aside international condemnation and named a new prime minister to head a transitional government ahead of promised elections. Junta leader General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz tasked the ambassador to the European Union, Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf -- a longtime ally -- with forming a new government after consulting political parties.

Observers say the ambassador, given his European diplomatic contacts, may have been appointed in a bid to stave off an international backlash over the coup.
Most international eyes are on Georgia right now. I think the Mauritanian generals have a near blank check for the next month or so ...
After ousting Mauritania's first democratically elected President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi in a coup on August 6, Ould Abdel Aziz formed the State Council comprised of 11 military officials to the government and promised to hold elections quickly.

The general began consulting political parties about the formation of a transitional government earlier this week.

Ould Mohamed Laghdaf trained as an engineer and his close association with the general meant his name had been widely circulated as a possible candidate for prime minister. He is a member of the influential Tajakant tribe and hails from the southwestern region of Hodh Chargui, which is considered key elector ally.
Posted by:Fred

00:00