Ex-President Vows to Appeal Five-Year Corruption Sentence 

Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, Mauritania’s former President has been sentenced to a five-year prison term on charges of money laundering and illicit enrichment. 

This verdict was delivered by a court in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, marking a significant outcome in a high-profile corruption trial that has captivated the nation.

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Aziz, who was in power from 2008 to 2019, faced allegations of corruption and misuse of office, alongside 10 other prominent figures, including two former prime ministers. The charges against him included illicit enrichment, abuse of functions, influence-peddling, and laundering. However, he was acquitted of all charges except for illicit enrichment and laundering. The court also ordered the confiscation of his illicitly acquired assets .

The trial, which began in January, concluded with Aziz receiving the longest sentence among all the defendants. Notably, two former prime ministers and two former ministers, who were co-defendants in the case, were cleared of the charges.

In response to the court’s decision, Aziz’s legal team expressed their intent to challenge the verdict. Taleb Khyar, one of Aziz’s lawyers, criticized the trial as politically motivated, stating, “We have always considered this to be a political trial that has nothing to do with the law.” He added, “We intend to appeal, and we hope that our voice will finally be heard then.” Another lawyer for Aziz, Mohameden Ould Icheddou, echoed these sentiments, describing the trial and its verdict as “very political”.

The 66-year-old former president, who has been in detention since January 24 and had previously spent several months in prison in 2021, did not publicly react to the judgment. His presidency, which began with a coup in 2008, was noted for its alignment with Western powers in combating Islamist militants in the Sahel region. His administration, however, came under scrutiny for various actions, including deals on offshore oil projects. Aziz’s successor, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, who took office in 2019, is a political ally but has distanced his government from Aziz’s administration .

Aziz now has the opportunity to appeal his sentence at the Supreme Court. This case, according to prosecutors, marks a historic moment in the fight against corruption in Mauritania. The unfolding events will be closely watched, both within Mauritania and by international observers, as the country navigates the complexities of political accountability and the rule of law.

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