The faded star of President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz
The Mauritanian President, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, was elected in 2009. The architect of two successful coups: in 2005 against President Maaouya Ould Sid’Ahmed Taya, and in 2008 against President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdellahi, nowadays he is in his second and last term of office according to the Mauritanian constitution. He is viewed by the country's partners as one of the key figures in the stability of the Sahel. However, the international community does not see, or pretends not to see, the weakening of his regime.
The harsh question of a post-second term of office arises for him; an issue which is shaping Mauritanian political life. Capitalising on his "security success", the president has been able to make the international community accept his coup in 2008 against a president elected a year earlier and who he was however largely instrumental in installing as head of state. Behind the image of a president who is the "strong link in the Sahel", some governance mistakes are starting to bear bitter fruit. We will concentrate on his economic governance in particular, after having tried to envisage post-second term scenarios.
Download the full analysis
This page contains only a summary of our work. If you would like to have access to all the information from our research on the subject, you can download the full version in PDF format.
The faded star of President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz
Related centers and programs
Discover our other research centers and programsFind out more
Discover all our analysesThe Influence of Strategic Subnational Diplomacy in International Relations
The international engagement of cities and local governments has increased and diversified recently. Mainly understood by the public as the cultural and academic ties cultivated within the sister-city framework, these connections now bear deeper and more strategic implications.
Gulf States: A Paradoxical Economic Lifeline for Sudan
For decades, Gulf states have provided crucial financial assistance to Sudan. Gulf interest in Sudan is driven by economic benefits and geopolitical competition, though each country has its own interests and approach.
Understanding Intermediate Cities in Nigeria: The Cases of Ibadan and Abeokuta
Nigeria is known for its rapid demographic and urban growth.
Nigeria’s Oil Wealth and International Relations: Multilateral and Bilateral Lending and Decolonial Therapies
Before Angola surpassed Nigeria as Africa’s top oil producer in April 2023, Nigeria was Africa’s main oil exporter even before the country gained independence in 1960.