A hint of the likelihood of elections being delayed until next
year was given in April by Mohamed Ould Mouloud, president of the Union des
Forces du Progrès (UFP or Union of the Forces of Progress), in a debate
organised by the Maghrebian Studies Centre.
Ould Mouloud warned that if a political consensus was not
reached, the elections would take place not merely in abnormal conditions in
Mauritania but in the worst political crisis that the country has experienced
since 2008. He gave a strong hint of why the elections are likely to be derailed
and rolled up into next year when he said that the UFP would not participate in
elections "without a political consensus and strong guarantees that the election
would be transparent, with people being able to choose freely without political
pressure”.
The UFP is a left-leaning party, describing itself as a
multi-ethnic, Republican party oriented towards social justice. It has made
strong statements against the persecution of dark-skinned Mauritanians, the
continuation of slavery and unfair labour practices. The UFP has also strongly
condemned the involvement of the Mauritanian army in politics.
For more news and expert analysis about Mauritania, please see Mauritania Politics & Security.
© 2013 Menas Associates
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