Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz announced yesterday his intention to run in the presidential elections scheduled for this summer.
Abdel Aziz said in a press statement: “A decree was issued to call the Elections Committee on April 20 and open candidacy for those interested to run. As president of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, I will run for a new term.”
Speaking in the capital Nouakchott, the president said: “If anyone intends to boycott the elections, I am not interested in their plans.”
Abdel Aziz is a former general who came to power in a coup in August 2008; he was elected for a five year term a year later, amidst protests from opposition groups.