August 12th, 2008 by Adam

The Arabist writes that the coup in Mauritania is especially damaging to the country’s democratic hopes as it was conducted by the same people involved in the 2005 coup as well as supporters of former President Ould Taya. He also says it will be impossible to justify this coup as protecting democracy as so much “symbolic capital” was spent on legitimizing the previous coup.

On a related note, Kal at The Moor Next Door reports that Morocco’s intelligence chief has met with general Gen. Abdel Aziz and offered Morocco’s support while suggesting that he should release members of the previous government as a sign of good will. Responding to external pressure, the coup leaders have released the Prime Minister and several other officials, but the President remains under house arrest.

Posted in Mauritania, Morocco, North Africa |