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Mauritania: Power
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Mauritania's earliest inhabitants were black Africans and Berbers. Most of the people were converted to Islam during the 11th and 12th centuries. The nomadic Arab tribes moved to the area in about the 15th century and formed powerful confederations. The Portuguese visited Mauritania in the 15th century, but settlements were established by France only in the 19th century.
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Mauritania is expected to pay workers 50% more next year as part of its 199.675bn ouguiya [$799mn] budget, a government statement said. The military government, which seized power in a bloodless coup on August 3 2005, said that the 7.5% budget increase would seek to restore macro-economic balance and sustainable growth. The budget would simplify Mauritania's tax system, by making customs duties more transparent and by providing clear categories for products. The system, which would strengthen the capacity of the tax administration and ensure "transparent management of oil resources" according to government, was expected to be in place in January. [BIA 04/12/06]
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After taking leadership in Mauritania by a bloodless coup, army colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall pledged to relinquish power within two years. Making good on his promise, new lawmakers take charge following the 11 March 2007 completion of the electoral process.
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Politics in Mauritania have always been heavily influenced by personalities, with any leader's ability to exercise political power dependent upon control over resources; perceived ability or integrity; and tribal, ethnic, family, and personal considerations. Conflict among White Moor, Black Moor, and Black African Mauritanian groups, centering on language, land tenure, and other issues, continues to be a major challenge to national unity. Political parties, illegal during the military period, were legalized again in 1991.
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The ECOWAS Commission has opened discussions with Mauritania on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU and the ways of strengthening economic relations. A high-powered delegation led by the Commission’s President, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, recently returned from Nouakchott after a 3-day working visit.
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