Mauritania’s presidential election campaign began on Friday (June 6th). Five candidates are running in the June 21st poll, including President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. The sitting president will face off against Lalla Mariem Mint Moulaye Idriss, opposition party leaders Boidiel Ould Houmeid and Ibrahima Moctar Sarr, and anti-slavery activist Biram Ould Dah Ould Abeid. Ould Abdel Aziz launched his campaign for re-election in the southern city of Kaedi, telling supporters that under his leadership, the country had made “great strides” in security and economic growth.
Ould Abdel Aziz said he had transformed the country into a regional haven of peace, thanks to his reorganisation of the military and security forces.
He has claimed credit for a burgeoning mining sector and a drop in the inflation rate to less than five per cent, AFP reported.
But most opposition parties are boycotting the upcoming poll, citing a lack of legal and procedural requirements to guarantee transparency. They have started mobilising their supporters to abstain from the vote.
Full Article: allAfrica.com: Mauritania Presidential Campaigns Kick Off (Page 1 of 2).
