Mauritania calm after coup

2005-08-04 12:39

Nouakchott - Shops and businesses reopened and traffic was flowing again in Mauritania's capital on Thursday, just a day after a military junta toppled the oil-rich country's autocratic president while he was abroad.

The quick return to calm - Nouakchott's international airport also reopened - indicated acceptance of President Maaoya Sid'Ahmed Ould Taya's bloodless overthrow in a nation more accustomed to coups than democracy. The ouster of Taya, who himself seized power in a coup, had prompted celebrations in the Islamic nation that had looked increasingly to the West amid alleged threats from al-Qaeda-linked militants.

The new junta promised to yield to democratic rule within two years, but African leaders, the United States and the European Union condemned the coup. African leaders declared the days of authoritarianism and military rule must end across the continent.

Condemnation

Taya arrived on Wednesday in nearby Niger from Saudi Arabia, where he attended King Fahd's funeral. He made no comment to reporters, but the secretary-general of his party, Boullah Ould Mogueya said the party wouldn't recognise "anti-constitutional change."

The junta, calling itself the Military Council for Justice and Democracy, said Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall was its president. Vall, 55, has served as national police chief since 1987. Known for his calm and reserve, he was considered a close confidant of Taya for more than two decades.

The junta statement identified 16 other army officers as members. Except for one captain, all are all colonels, the highest rank in the country's armed forces.

Taya seized power in 1984 and dealt ruthlessly with those who opposed him. Taya had allied his overwhelmingly Muslim nation with the United States in the war on terror and with Israel.

"The armed forces have unanimously decided to put an end to the totalitarian practices of the deposed regime under which our people have suffered much over the last several years," the junta statement said.

Regional powerhouse Nigeria condemned the coup, as did the African Union, United Nations and the United States.

Britain, in its capacity as current president of the European Union, issued a statement on Thursday condemning "any attempt to seize power by force" and called for "full respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law" in Mauritania.

Islamist leaders in Mauritania have led the opposition to Taya, criticising him for building close ties with Israel. Mauritania opened full diplomatic relations with Israel six years ago.

"It's the end of a long period of oppression and injustice," said Fidi Kane, a civil servant. "We are very delighted with this change of regime."

Taya had survived several coup attempts, including one in 2003 that led to several days of street fighting in the capital.

Offshore oil reserves were recently discovered, and the country is expected to begin pumping crude early next year.

- AP