Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has vowed to fast-track investments to trigger an energy and mining boom as he competes against six challengers in the June 29 presidential election.
These increased investments could boost the economy of Mauritania and strengthen the 67-year-old former army chief’s leadership as the country transitions into a gas producer.
Ghazouani, expected to win due to the ruling party’s dominance, faces opposition from notable figures, including anti-slavery activist Biram Dah Abeid, who secured over 18% of the vote in the 2019 election.
Mauritania, rich in iron ore, gold, and copper, is set to become a gas producer by year-end with the BP-operated Greater Tortue Ahmeyin (GTA) offshore gas project, shared with Senegal.
The country holds a 7% stake in the GTA project and is also seeking developers for its BirAllah offshore gas field, estimated to contain nearly 60 trillion cubic feet of gas.
If re-elected, Ghazouani has promised to develop a gas-fired power plant from the GTA, invest in renewable energy, and expand mining of gold, uranium, and iron ore.
Other presidential candidates include lawyer Id Mohameden M’Bareck, economist Mohamed Lemine El Mourtaji El Wafi, neurosurgeon Otouma Soumaré, and Hamadi Sidi El Mokhtar from the Tewassoul party.
Despite growth prospects, Mauritania, with a population of fewer than 5 million people, faces widespread poverty and an influx of refugees from neighbouring Mali.
The European Union has pledged additional funds to help Mauritania manage irregular migration, as it serves as a transit route for migrants heading to Europe.
Abeid has criticised Ghazouani’s human rights record and the marginalisation of Mauritania’s Black African population. Despite the abolition of slavery in 1981 and its criminalization in 2007, forms of slavery persist, according to a 2023 UN report.
Ghazouani has maintained relative stability since 2019, while neighbouring Sahel countries grapple with Islamist insurgencies and military coups. Mauritania has not experienced militant attacks in recent years and remains a Western ally in combating regional militants, receiving support from countries like France.
On the campaign trail, Ghazouani, who currently chairs the African Union, has committed to managing militant threats. The International Monetary Fund projects a 4.3% economic growth for Mauritania this year, up from 3.4% in 2023, but warns that delays in the GTA project could impact the country’s medium-term debt profile.
Key issues for the 2 million registered voters include equitable distribution of mineral wealth and addressing corruption.
Civil society activist Sidha Mint Yenge emphasised the need for decentralised management that benefits all 15 regions of the country, while young voters prioritise job access and transparency. “These elections are an opportunity for young people to show civic commitment with a demand for transparency,” said 23-year-old student Hawa Boubacar Traore.
