[M-net] MAURITANIA: Another step in democratic transition

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MAURITANIA: Another step in democratic transition
IRIN NEWS
11/23/2006

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

NOUAKCHOTT, 23 November (IRIN) - Provisional results from historic
legislative and municipal elections in Mauritania indicated on Thursday that
opposition parties that had defied the country's previous military regime
had made a strong showing.

The Rally of Democratic Forces (RDF), which struggled against former
military ruler Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya, won 12 of 43 National Assembly
seats in the 19 November polls. Sixty-three percent of municipal posts went
to opposition parties, mainly in urban areas.

Other parties that opposed the Taya government won seven assembly seats.
They include the Progressive Popular Alliance, which represents former
slaves who say they remain marginalised. Slavery was formally abolished in
Mauritania in 1981.

Mauritania follows in the footsteps of West African neighbours Mali, Niger
and Nigeria in introducing elections as part of a transition to democracy
after military officers ousted authoritarian regimes or took over after
their leader died. Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall overthrew Taya in August
2005.

Taya had ruled Mauritania for more than 20 years and halfheartedly joined
the continent's democracy movement in the 1990s, tolerating political
parties but only allowing dissent on his own terms, analysts say.

Military officers who participated in the 2005 coup were barred from
contesting the elections. Presidential polls are to be held in March.

*Uncertain outcome*

A second round of voting for the National Assembly to choose 52 additional
seats in 33 districts is to be held on 3 December. Observers said those
polls could significantly alter the outcome of last week's election because
most of the districts are in rural areas that have significant support for
Islamists and traditional leaders.

Independent candidates, including Islamists, tribal leaders and members of
the former ruling party, made a strong showing in the first round of voting
for the National Assembly, winning 24 seats.

"The weakness of parties, who were represented mainly in urban areas,
compared with independents shows the importance of traditional forces," said
Mohamed Fall Ould Oumere, publisher of the Tribune newspaper.

Although Mauritania is officially an Islamic republic, Islamist parties and
movements have been banned. Tensions persist among the country's Moors,
Arabs, Berbers and sub-Saharan African groups.

*Voter enthusiasm*

With the recent discovery of oil offshore, analysts say Mauritanians have
higher expectations that their newly elected leaders will improve
development in the impoverished, arid country.

In a referendum in June that was marked by high turnout, Mauritanians
approved a new constitution that put a two-term limit on any future
president. Last August, the government passed an ordinance stipulating that
women represent 20 percent of National Assembly members. Eight seats went to
women in last week's vote.

Turnout for the polls was estimated at 75 percent.

"The turnout, which was higher than anticipated, is an indication of the
genuine demand for democracy," said the Tribune's Oumere. "The aspiration of
Mauritanians for peaceful, civil change has manifested itself."

A broad section of Mauritania's political class hailed the elections.

"We have seen that this poll was organised in the best conditions that we
have seen in a long time and there was neutrality of the administration and
a great measure of transparency," said Ahmed Ould Daddah, presidential
candidate and leader of the RDF.

About 200 foreign observers witnessed the voting and generally considered
the polls to be free and fair despite some administrative and technical
problems.

"The elections constitute a supplementary stage towards the end of the
transition," said the European Union observer mission in a statement. "They
were carried out in calm and in a climate of freedom."



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