Three Killed In Post-Election Violence In Mauritania

Three people have been reportedly killed after the presidential election in Mauritania due to clashes between security forces and protesters, authorities have reported.

An unspecified number of individuals were injured in the incidents.
Protests erupted in the capital and other parts of the country after President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani was announced as the winner of the election.

Ghazouani’s decisive victory in the first round secured him a second term as president.

However, Biram Dah Abeid, the second-placed candidate and well-known anti-slavery activist, accused the authorities of “massive fraud” and claimed the election results were falsified.

Abeid called for “peaceful demonstrations and peaceful gatherings” in response.

Authorities reported that security forces confronted protesters in Kaedi, the largest city in the southern region and an opposition stronghold with a significant Black population.

Protests also took place in the towns of Nouadhibou, Rosso, Zoueirat, and Boghe, which are also strongholds for Abeid.

Following the unrest, the government blocked mobile internet access and pledged to arrest those responsible for the violence.