Everything You Need to Know About Mauritania’s Presidential Election

Ghazouani won 52 percent of the vote in 2019, a majority that ensured he became president without the need for a second round. This time around he faces some familiar candidates and newer ones, in a bid to retain office.

Biram Ould Dah Ould Abeid, the runner-up in the last election, is contesting again as the main opposition, running as the candidate for Refoundation for a Global Action. Abeid is a staunch anti-slavery activist, with his supporters primarily consisting of Afro-Mauritanians.

Prior to the abolishment of slavery in the country in 1981, darker-skinned Mauritanians were subjugated to serving and working for light-skinned counterparts. Naturally, this has led to continued political imbalance and discrimination, as well as human trafficking and continued slavery, even though Afro-Mauritanians are a majority part of the population. Abeid has been outspoken about these prejudices and how they continue to manifest in Mauritanian society, and has been jailed several times for this.

The other main opposition candidate is former Prime Minister Hamadi Ould Sidi Mokhtar, who’s the candidate for the National Rally for Reform and Development party, often known by its shortened Arabic name, Tewassoul. The party holds 11 seats in parliament, the most for any opposition party. Mokhtar and his party are conservative, pushing for further adoption of Islamic laws in Mauritania, a majority Muslim country.

The rest of the candidates, include two independents, Mohamed Lemine El Mourteji El Wafi and Outouma Soumare, the Republican Front for Unity and Democracy’s El Id Mohameden M’Bareck, and Mamadou Bocar Ba of the Alliance for Justice and Democracy movement.

Heading into Saturday, the most pressing issues are security, in relation to Mauritania’s regional position, and socioeconomic conditions. To the latter point, just over half of the country’s citizens live in multidimensional poverty, with youth unemployment at 23 percent and access to basic services like electricity not being widespread.

With regards to security, Mauritania successfully quelled insurgency over a decade ago, but it’s keeping a close eye on the armed groups operating across its border with Mali. Thousands of refugees have fled into the country from Mali in recent years, and it remains on high alert to ensure the fighting doesn’t enter its borders.

“Our army is fully capable of ensuring your security and safeguarding our national territory,” incumbent president Ghazouani said to thousands of supporters at his final rally in the capital, Nouakchott. Ghazouani has made security his priority during his campaign, a focus bolstered by his military background.

Meanwhile, Abeid has said he would fight corruption and create opportunities for young people. Abeid will appeal to the more liberal Mauritanians who believe Ghazouani’s stay in power will continue the entrenchment of the country’s military in government.

However, Ghazouani is the forerunner ahead of the election. In his first 5 years, he diversified his cabinet to include politically minor groups, and his administration arrested former President Abdel Aziz on charges of corruption and abuse of power, for which he was handed a 5-year prison sentence he’s currently serving. Generally, the incumbent is regarded as a safe choice by observers.

Over the course of 2024, 20 African countries will be holding elections. For more election coverage, check out our Election Tracker.