By RFIPalled on 13-03-2019Modified on 13-03-2019 at 17:20
The talks between the Mauritanian opposition parties ended on Tuesday night. They have not managed to agree on a consensual name, so there will be no single application. It is a statement of failure, even if these parties pledge to postpone their vote on who would be qualified in the second round.
This failure is not so surprising, as there has never been an alliance for a first round of presidential elections in Mauritania. Some had dreamed of it, but on Tuesday night, the opposition parties, meeting as part of an electoral alliance, definitely took note of the fact that they would not be able to agree on a name.
In question, too many differences between those who pleaded for a candidate from the ranks of the opposition, and those who defended the idea of an external candidate able to federate everyone. This was particularly the case of the Islamist party Tawassoul , favorable to the candidacy of a former prime minister, Sidi Mohamed Ould Boubacar, who has not yet decided.
Consensus on second round support
Everyone is free, now, to go or not. The opposition has at least agreed on one point: it will support the opposition candidate who will be in the second round. Could this agreement possibly apply to Biram Dah Abeid's candidacy? This is one of the questions that could arise. The anti-slavery leader has, indeed, decided not to wait for the decision of the opposition to introduce himself. Nevertheless, he remains an opponent of the ruling power, who came second in the last presidential election.
Pending the vote scheduled for June, the opposition intends to remain united to demand more transparency in the electoral process.
On the same subject
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Mauritania: difficult negotiations around a single candidate for the opposition
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