Upcoming elections: Mauritania, Algeria to choose their successors on June 22 and July 24 respectively

Year 2019 is a remarkable year for several countries of the African continent with respect to the political climate. Around eleven countries are bound for polls this year.  Amongst these, two former French colonies – Mauritania and Algeria – will choose their successors on June 22 and July 4 respectively.

Mauritania’s incumbent President, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, is stepping down after his second and final term in office. Notably, Aziz had risen to power after coordinating a coup against the government in 2008, when it was headed by Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi.

After the coup, Abdel Aziz insisted on holding new presidential elections to replace Abdallahi, but was forced to reschedule them due to internal and international opposition. During the spring of 2009, the junta negotiated an understanding with some opposition figures and international parties. As a result, Abdallahi formally resigned under protest, as it became clear that some opposition forces had defected from him and most international players, notably including France and Algeria, now aligned with Abdel Aziz. The United States continued to criticize the coup, but did not actively oppose the elections.

Abdallahi’s resignation allowed the election of Abdel Aziz as civilian president, on 18 July, 2009, by a 52% majority. Many of Abdallahi’s former supporters criticized this as a political ploy and refused to recognize the results. They argued that the election had been falsified due to junta control, and complained that the international community had let down the opposition.

Despite complaints, the elections were almost unanimously accepted by Western, Arab and African countries, which lifted sanctions and resumed relations with Mauritania. By late summer, Abdel Aziz appeared to have secured his position and to have gained widespread international and internal support. (Wikipedia)

Energy giant Algeria will hold its Presidential elections on July 4. This will be the country’s first poll post the resignation of its long-serving leader, Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

While ancient Algeria has known many empires and dynasties, the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria has known only a few Presidents since its independence from France.

Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who had served four terms as the Head of the State was forced to resign recently before he could seek his fifth term. http://thetimesofafrica.com/algeria-president-resigns-20-year-rule-amidst-mass-protests/

The 82-year-old ailing leader served as Algeria’s President from 1999 until 2019, becoming the longest-serving head of the country with nearly 20 years in power. The resignation of Bouteflika came amidst mass protests calling for his ouster – a move escalated by the army chief of staff’s order demanding immediate action to remove him from the office.