Sahel Edition

Mauritania’s Former President Loses Final Appeal, Will Serve 15 Years

Posted On 13 November 2025

Number of times this article was read : 258

Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who led Mauritania from 2009 to 2019, has lost his final appeal and will serve 15 years in prison. The Supreme Court of Mauritania upheld his conviction for illicit enrichment and money laundering, following a years-long legal process that saw a lower court dismiss the more politically charged charges of abuse of power and influence peddling. Abdel Aziz, who took office after a military coup in 2008 and later won two presidential elections, was initially handed a five-year prison sentence in 2023, but the penalty was increased to 15 years after a successful state appeal in 2025.

________
This analysis is reserved for clients subscribing to The North Africa Journal Already a subscriber?
Please log in here

Not a subscriber? Take advantage of our lowest subscription rates. Subscribe today



More on the Sahel

Niger Moves Uranium From SOMAÏR Mine Despite Arbitration Ruling

Niger’s military authorities have authorized the removal and transport of uranium from the SOMAÏR mine at Arlit without the involvement of longtime operator Orano, prompting the French nuclear group to denounce the shipment as illegal and in breach of a September 2025 World Bank–linked arbitration ruling. While Niamey signals plans to sell the stock on the open market as an assertion of resource sovereignty, the move raises legal, safety, and security concerns as uranium travels by road through conflict‑affected Sahel corridors.

Benin Soldiers Mount Brief Coup Attempt

In the span of a few hours on December 7, a small group of soldiers in Benin, West Africa, moved from night‑time attacks on senior officers’ homes to a televized announcement claiming they had removed President Patrice Talon and suspended the constitution. Forces loyal to the government swiftly retook the national broadcaster and key positions in Cotonou, and authorities now say the coup attempt has been defeated even as some officers remain missing and questions about the mutineers’ support network persist.

Mauritania: Medical Equipment Contract Controversy Deepens in Mauritania

Mauritania is facing mounting questions over a multimillion‑euro plan to equip its hospitals, after an independent investigation alleged that the military mishandled a major medical procurement on behalf of the Health Ministry. Instead of new diagnostic machines, the process has produced shifting contracts, large advance payments, and a change of suppliers, while hospitals continue to wait for equipment that should have been delivered months ago.

The North Africa Journal's WhatsApp Group
.
Shield and Alert Sahel