Mauritania Sets Presidential Election Date for June 29, 2024

Mauritania has announced that the country's next presidential election will be held on June 29, 2024, with a potential second round scheduled for July 13, 2024. The announcement was made through a presidential decree from the Mauritanian presidency.

Outgoing President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, 67, is widely expected to be the clear favorite in the election, though he has not yet officially announced his candidacy. Ghazouani has been in power since 2019 and has prioritized the fight against poverty after the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine caused a sluggish economy. Last year, his party, El Insaf, won a landslide victory in legislative elections.

Seven prominent opponents have said they will take part in the election, including the well-known anti-slavery activist and opponent Biram Dah Abeid, who was a runner-up in the last presidential election. The electoral campaign is set to begin at midnight on June 14 and end at midnight on June 27, with voting taking place from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on the respective election days.

Why this matters: The upcoming election is seen as a litmus test for President Ghazouani, who has overseen Mauritania's progress in the fight against extremism in the violence-wracked Sahel region. However, rising inflation and cost-of-living concerns due to the pandemic and Ukraine war have put economic issues at the forefront for the country's 1.8 million voters.

Ghazouani's party, El Insaf, is favored to win among the 25 parties vying for the backing of voters, who will also choose 176 members of parliament, as well as 15 regional councils and 238 municipal councils. The election takes place in a context of relative stability in Mauritania compared to other Sahel countries, but the sluggish economy remains a key concern. As one voter put it, "The most important thing is that the price of goods comes down and that young people can have hope in the future of the country."

Key Takeaways

• Mauritania to hold presidential election on June 29, 2024.
• Incumbent President Ghazouani expected to run, though not yet officially announced.
• Seven prominent opponents, including anti-slavery activist Biram Dah Abeid, to participate.
• Election seen as a test for Ghazouani, with economy a key concern for voters.
• Ghazouani's party, El Insaf, favored to win among 25 parties vying for votes.