(CTN News) – Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has opened an early lead in the country’s presidential election, according to provisional results from the electoral commission.
With around 6.49% of total votes counted, Ghazouani is leading with 49%, while his main rival, anti-slavery activist Biram Dah Abeid, is at 22.68%.
Ghazouani, a former top soldier who is widely expected to win a second term, has pledged to boost investment to spur a commodities boom in the West African country of 5 million people.
He has promised to develop a natural gas-fired power plant from the upcoming Greater Tortue Ahmeyin offshore gas project, invest in renewable energy, and expand mining activities for gold, uranium, and iron ore.
Elected in 2019, Ghazouani is facing six opponents, including Abeid, who came second in the previous election with over 18% of the vote.
Other challengers include lawyer Id Mohameden M’Bareck, economist Mohamed Lemine El Mourtaji El Wafi, and Hamadi Sidi El Mokhtar of the Islamist Tewassoul party.
Major election issues include fighting corruption, creating jobs for the young, and improving access to basic amenities like electricity and water.
Poverty, Unemployment, and Instability in Mauritania
Mauritania, one of the poorest countries in the world, has a youth unemployment rate of 23% and more than half of its population living in poverty.
Ghazouani has presided over relative stability since 2019, while Mauritania’s Sahel neighbors, including Mali, struggle with Islamist insurgencies.
Abeid is challenging Ghazouani on his human rights record and the marginalization of Mauritania’s Black African population, while El Mokhtar has a following among conservative and religious voters.
If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the election will go to a second round. In the last election, some opposition candidates questioned the credibility of the vote, sparking small-scale protests.
