Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has secured a second term in office, winning 56.12% of the vote in Saturday’s election, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI).
Ghazouani’s victory cements his position as leader of the West African nation, praised for its stability in the volatile Sahel region.
Ghazouani’s main rival, Biram Dah Abeid, garnered 22.10% of the vote, while Hamadi Ould Sid’ El Moctar, head of the Islamist Tewassoul party, came third with 12.78%. However, Abeid has rejected the results, alleging government manipulation.
CENI chief Dah Ould Abdel Jelil announced the results, stating, “We did everything we could to prepare the conditions for a good election and we were relatively successful.” The election saw 1.9 million registered voters choose between seven candidates, marking a significant milestone in Mauritania’s democratic journey.
Ghazouani’s re-election comes as no surprise, given his widely acknowledged role in maintaining the country’s security and stability in a region plagued by jihadism and military coups. At 67, he is poised to continue leading Mauritania towards a brighter future, including the development of its gas resources.
