THE Islamic Republic of Mauritania was first featured in a Mining Journal Supplement in December 2000. Since then the country has made both economic and political progress. Poor performance of the economy over the past three years was a factor influencing radical political change, with three attempted coups d'etat since 2003 followed by the peaceful overthrow of former President Taya in August 2005. This was immediately followed by the establishment of a Military Council for Justice and Democracy headed by Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vail, now president and head of state. Initially, this action was condemned by most other nations as an affront to the process of democratic change, but to insiders the coup was not at all unexpected. Unrest throughout the country, provoked by inequalities in the distribution of wealth and the strictures of a stagnant economy lacking leadership and forward vision, ensured that the Mauritanian people would welcome positive change. Now, seven months after the coup, this transition has generally been accepted by the international community as having been beneficial.
展开▼
