On Sunday evening, Mauritania’s Interior Minister, Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine, announced that a “destabilisation attempt” had been thwarted by the defence and security forces following clashes in the capital, Nouakchott.
According to the minister, “certain racist movements, known to be hostile to national unity, tried to take advantage of the presidential elections to achieve their despicable aims.”
He also pointed out that “mobs, opportunists and manipulated youths linked to a particular candidate have been trying throughout the day to disrupt public order in certain areas of the capital by burning tyres, disrupting traffic, intimidating peaceful citizens and damaging their property.”
He assured Mauritanians that the security forces had “quickly” neutralised “these acts of sabotage” thanks to a “rigorous security plan,” adding that “under no circumstances and at no cost” would he allow any attack on security and tranquillity, and that “the security services have the necessary instructions and resources” to “deal with them.”
According to the website of the National Electoral Commission (CENI), the ruling party candidate, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, is in the lead with 56.12 percent, followed by Biram Dah Abeid with 22.10 percent. Hamadi Ould Mohamed El Mokhtar of the Tawassoul (Islamic Conservative) party, taking part in his first presidential election, received 12.76 percent.
These results, which must be confirmed by the CENI before being validated by the Constitutional Council, were rejected by Biram Dah, who called for demonstrations against the body responsible for organising the elections.
His supporters clashed with the forces of law and order, and his campaign manager was arrested, according to the opposition.
AC/lb/as/APA