Incumbent Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has been re-elected as the President of Mauritania, securing a second term with 56.12 percent of the votes in the first round of the presidential election, as reported by the country’s Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI).
Election Results
- Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani: 56.12%
- Biram Dah Abeid (anti-slavery activist): 22.10%
- Hamadi Ould Sid’ El Moctar (Tewassoul party): 12.78%
Voter Turnout
The election had a turnout of 55.39%, lower than the 2019 election.
Controversy and Opposition Response
Biram Dah Abeid, Ghazouani’s main rival, refused to recognize the election results, accusing CENI of manipulation by the government. Some of Abeid’s supporters demonstrated in Nouakchott, causing disruptions.
Stability and Future Plans
Ghazouani, 67, has led Mauritania through a period of relative stability since his first term began in 2019. The country, part of the volatile Sahel region, has not recorded any recent attacks and is poised to become a gas producer. Ghazouani, who chairs the African Union, has focused on managing threats from armed groups affecting neighboring Sahel countries.
Key Priorities
- Youth Development: Emphasizing support for the young population, which constitutes nearly three-quarters of Mauritania’s 4.9 million people.
- Economic Reforms: Planning more reforms with a favorable economic outlook.
- Renewable Energy and Mining: Committed to investing in renewable energy and expanding gold, uranium, and iron-ore mining sectors.
CENI Statement
CENI chief Dah Ould Abdel Jelil acknowledged the efforts to ensure a good election and expressed relative success in its execution, congratulating all participants.