In Mauritania, the final stretch before the presidential election on June 29, 2024. In all, seven contenders are in the running. In the sights, a possible second democratic alternation since the independence of Mauritania, or the re-election of outgoing president Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, candidate for his own succession. The candidates who have been campaigning for ten days are gradually returning to Nouakchott.
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With our special correspondent in Nouakchott, Léa-Lisa Westerhoff
In the central district of Tevragh Zeina, not far from the Nouakchott Olympic stadium in Mauritania, everywhere, along the main avenue, we see white tents and giant portraits of the presidential election candidates. For now, everything is calm. These tents come alive especially at night. Not really for speeches on the programs, but rather festive and musical evenings for which supporters of the different candidates come together.
In the hyper center, it is the omnipresence of the candidate of power which calls out. Almost everywhere on facades or along the road stand giant portraits of outgoing president Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, candidate for a second term. “ Ready for your support, in recognition and loyalty », We can read in Arabic and French on the posters of the one who campaigns around security in an unstable region and youth employment.
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The opposition, on the other hand, is almost invisible. Only the Islamist party Tawassoul has set up a tent and a giant portrait of their candidate Ould Sidi el Moctar in the city center.
As for human rights activist and opposition figure, Biram Dah Abeid, who came second in 2019, this year they say they are focusing more on social networks and door-to-door canvassing in neighborhoods and the rest of the country.
In any case, among the people encountered in the city center, a certain resignation reigns. As for the outcome of the vote, “ Ghazouani has the right to a second term, he will get it”, told RFI a Mauritanian who went out to buy his baguette. “ I’m going to vote for change, but I don’t think it will work “, explained another, before adding “ When the military has power, they have difficulty letting it go “.
And by Thursday June 27, the last day of campaigning before Saturday’s vote, each of the seven candidates must still organize their big closing rally in Nouakchott.
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