An investigation committee in the Mauritanian parliament continues to listen to the testimonies of former and current officials about their relationship with deals and projects that were carried out during the era of former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, which says that corruption suspicions are hovering around them.
The committee decided to summon former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz to testify without specifying a date for this.
The spokesman for the investigation committee, Deputy Mrabet Ould Banahi, earlier told Radio France Internationale that Ould Abdel Aziz would be summoned because he took charge of running the country for about 12 years.
Ould Banahi added that the committee is legally empowered and has full authority and powers to monitor government work, even if it had been in the past.
The Parliamentary Committee in charge of investigating corruption files summoned a number of those close to the former president, such as former Prime Minister Dr. Moulaye Ould Mohamed al-Aqdaf, who took office seven years, which is the longest period spent by a first minister during the era of Ould Abdel Aziz.
The committee also heard of Mohamed Ould Sabouba, the former president's son-in-law, whose name has emerged in recent years as a businessman and influential person in the Mauritanian arena.
The committee is investigating a number of deals, the most prominent of which are the solar lighting, the oil revenue fund, the container port berth operation deal, and a Chinese fishing company.
The investigations also expanded to include the commercial policy of the Industrial and Mining Company, infrastructure and road deals, and the electricity and airport company deals.
The committee is due to present its final report during a public session six months after its establishment at the end of January.
During the session, the committee will decide whether the results of the investigation amount to accusations of corruption to be referred to the competent court.