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Mauritania Presidential Hopefuls Conclude Campaigns

Esha Sarai

   NOUAKCHOTT - Six presidential hopefuls in Mauritania ended their
   campaigns on Thursday with hourslong rallies throughout the capital of
   Nouakchott.

   For the first time since a 2008 coup, President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz
   will not be up for re-election, leaving the polls wide open and voters
   newly energized for change.

   Among the opposition candidates are Sidi Mohamed Ould Boubacar of
   Tawassoul, the country's main opposition party. Boubacar previously
   served the country as prime minister from 2005 to 2007.

   Though he is more established in politics than the other opposition
   candidates, Boubacar is running on the platform of change, and has said
   that electing the ruling party's candidate would not affect necessary
   change in the country.

   "I think there needs to be a true changeover, because the state today
   of my country is catastrophic. The economic situation is extremely
   serious, as are our societal problems," Boubacar told VOA.

   Another notable opposition candidate is Biram Dah Abeid, an independent
   politician running on an anti-slavery problem. Mauritania has
   consistently ranked as one of the worst countries in the world for
   modern slavery, a problem that Abeid has combatted in his work outside
   of politics.

   Abeid has gained popularity among poorer and rural communities, and he
   says it's because despite his international travels, he has always been
   committed to the betterment of Mauritania.

   "I've devoted my life to the Mauritanian people, to fighting slavery,
   and to fighting racial discrimination," Abeid told VOA.

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