For the first time in the Arab world .. An Arab president refuses to stay in power and offers him an alternative (details)

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz called on all his supporters to support the appointment of retired Defense Minister Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani in the June presidential election.

Ould Abdel Aziz told reporters late Wednesday night to the press after a surprise meeting at the headquarters of the ruling party, the Union for the Republic (UPR): "I support his candidacy (with reference to Ould al-Ghazouani) and all those who support my people support him ", in the first general comment of the Mauritanian President at the announcement of the candidacy of the Minister of Defense and his potential successor, Ould Ghazouani, to a big festival at the beginning of the month .

Ould Abdel Aziz was questioned about the meaning of his brief statement two days ago when he told a local channel that he had not presented his defense minister as a candidate for the succession after the end of his second and final constitutional term next summer, but had been introduced. The Mauritanian president responded yesterday by explaining this statement saying: "I support him, but more than that: he is my friend and my friend, but he has been appointed a Mauritanian citizen, I am supported and supported by the government, the party. in power and the majority, supported by a broad sector of the Mauritanian people. "

In the midst of a broad political and legal debate that began in January, President Ould Abdel Aziz ordered his close aides, deputies, businessmen and presidential advisers to put an end to any political activity. to mobilize broad popular support for his continued office and appointment for a third term. He reiterated his respect for the Constitution of Mauritania and his adherence to the enriched articles that guarantee a peaceful rotation of the government every 10 years.

This initiative has been widely supported and praised by opposition forces and local and international organizations who, in his view, contribute to the stability of a country confronted with the consequences of violent unrest and war with armed groups. its regional environment.