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| Africa North |
| Mauritanian Normalization |
| 2006-11-22 |
| The promises of democratic normalization made by the Council for Justice and Democracy during the Mauritanian elections are no longer mere assurances to win the masses and gain legitimacy. These promises, however, have become commitments that reflect the vision of change. Voters going to ballot boxes today will not be an ordinary process in terms of its nature and objectives. But it is a real test of the will for change that began with toppling the regime of President Maaouya Ould Taya. Certainly, President Ely Ould Mohamed Vall did not wish to produce a political system in which he would have the strongest party and the broader control, as is the case with presidential parties that arise from within the authority. The Mauritanian Military Council scored a point when it decided to retreat after the legislative and presidential elections in a precedent that reflects the respect for the will of the voters. This marks a positive start that cuts the long way short and opens the door to the possibility of change without chaos. The President of the Military Council did not find difficulty in convincing his partners from neighboring countries, the EU, the AU, and the international monetary institutions that the price of change, if it had to be achieved through a 'coup d'etat', is not unaffordable. Actually, the intensity of electoral rivalries and the emergence of new political blocs and trends, rather reflect the desire of the Mauritanian masses for democratic normalization. The Military Council succeeded in every way to convince the masses to initiate change. The brief transitional period was not sufficient to cause another coup in relations, the role of political parties, and the activation of civil society. The great question about the commitment of the Military Council for Justice and Democracy regarding its promises of handing over power to civilians has been a major concern. It seems that the Council itself has become a judge ruling among political factions, based on the fact that it does not want to stay in power. In one way or another, this situation may have affected the formulation of the new experience in a way that does not provoke the military or instigate a confrontation, and at the same time, that does not totally support or oppose it. The future is open to all options, but the least possible option is that the military will cling to authority for one reason or another. Perhaps accurate calculations in such a process have affected the course of electoral contests in a way that restricted disclosing all intentions at once. Although the military had expressed their intention to leave the government after finishing all transitional arrangements, civilians were not in a position to speak out about all their demands. This is due to the fact that today's elections, which may need a second session to be settled, are nothing but a rehearsal of what will be the situation in presidency, regulated by extremely influential internal, regional and international considerations. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Okay we got the headline, Mauritanian Normalization.... and in the 2nd para we got.. Certainly, President Ely Ould Mohamed Vall did not wish to produce a political system in which he would have the strongest party and the broader control, as is the case with presidential parties that arise from within the authority Lord no! That would be wrong! I assume this story is thrown out for the Modi Lunch. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2006-11-22 12:57 |