Free article preview

Warriors and marabouts

Nouakchott cracks down on Islamists and Arab nationalists ahead of November's elections

President Maaouiya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya has cracked down on his critics, particularly targeting Arab nationalists and Islamists as he seeks to improve ties with his new friends in Israel and the United States. But the fragmentation of the opposition suggests he can survive most threats of storms ahead. Nine candidates have so far announced plans to contest a presidential election and the first round is set for 7 November. It is essentially a four-way race between Taya, long-time opposition leader Ahmed Ould Daddah, Haratine leader Messaoud Ould Boulkheir and Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidallah. Making an unexpected return to the political forefront, Ould Haidallah is the President whom Taya ousted in his 1984 coup d'état. Most opposition parties boycotted the last presidential poll in December 1997; this time, with so many candidates, a second-round run-off looks almost inevitable....

(This article contains approximately 1227 words)

end of free article preview

Current subscribers: log in now to read the complete article. Misplaced your password? Then click here for a password reminder.

Not a subscriber? Then you can read this article in full either by becoming a subscriber now, for 3, 6 or 12 months, or you can buy this individual article.

Subscribe to Africa Confidential:
Buy this article:

3-month subscription
Prices from £205.00 (+ VAT where applicable)

6-month subscription
Prices from £376.00 (+ VAT where applicable)

12-month subscription
Prices from £705.00 (+ VAT where applicable)
UK & European Union
£17.00 (+ VAT where applicable)

Rest of the world
$27.00

If you have a print subscription already, click here for a password that gives you full access to the website.
If you are logged in, but still cannot access the full text of this article, email customer services or telephone us on +44(0)1638 743633.

Africa Confidential's reporting and analysis is valued by a wide range of organisations and individuals: from corporate executives, country risk analysts, national politicians and members of the diplomatic corps, to intelligence operatives, academics, journalists and NGO personnel.

Here's what our readers say about us:

"We regard Africa Confidential as one of our best and most reliable sources of information and analysis."

Intelligence Assessment Service, Privy Council Office, Government of Canada

"You are the best reporter on Africa alive. I look forward to your Intel."

Robert Stewart, CEO, Hawk Uranium Inc., USA

"If you want the detail and you want the dirt, the little blue newsletter [Africa Confidential] that drops through your letter box is like having your own private spook who knows Africa inside out and who's also one hell of a gossip."

Jonathan Miller, Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Channel 4 News, London, UK

"Since the demise of reporting on Africa in Western newspapers, and especially in the UK, in recent years, Africa Confidential has become ever more indispensable to anyone trying to make sense of the continent.

It provides the context one needs to understand vast changes Sudan has undergone since the signing of the peace agreement in 2005 and the explosion of conflict in Darfur.

The scope of its coverage of everything from the latest mining deals and rebel uprisings in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the political crisis in Kenya since the 2007 election is simply unparalleled."

Karl Maier, Africa & Middle East Editor, Bloomberg News

Free article preview

Warriors and marabouts

Nouakchott cracks down on Islamists and Arab nationalists ahead of November's elections

end of free article preview

articles by country