Mauritania defence minister calls not to involve military in politics

Mauritanian Defence Minister, Jallow Mamadou Bhatia, has called on politicians not to involve the armed and security forces in political debate.

The minister made the remarks during a press conference held on Sunday evening in the Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott alongside Chairman of the ruling Union for the Republic Party, Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Mohamed Lemine.

The defence minister heads the ruling party’s reform committee set up by President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz more than a month ago to prepare the party for the country’s upcoming elections.

The minister praised the armed and security forces’ role in securing the country and protecting the citizens and their properties.

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Earlier, a coalition of opposition parties called to allow members of the armed and security forces to vote on the same day as civilians to ensure their votes are treated the same way and remain anonymous.

Mauritanian will hold legislative and municipal elections in 2018 and presidential elections in mid-2019.