Former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania has been sentenced to a five-year imprisonment by a court due to corruption charges. The court found him guilty of engaging in money laundering and exploiting his position for personal financial gain. However, he was acquitted of other allegations brought against him. Additionally, the court has ordered the confiscation of his unlawfully obtained assets.
Former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, aged 66, assumed office in 2009 following the overthrow of President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi in a coup. He served as the leader of Mauritania until 2019. Aziz, along with 10 other prominent figures, including two former prime ministers and former ministers from his administration, has been on trial in the capital city of Nouakchott since January. They faced multiple charges, such as abuse of power, money laundering, illicit enrichment, and influence peddling. The court, specializing in corruption and economic crimes, handed down its verdict on Monday, sentencing some of the co-accused to lesser terms compared to Aziz. However, the former prime ministers and two ex-ministers were acquitted of all charges. This trial marks a significant step in addressing corruption within the Mauritanian government, as the court also ordered the confiscation of Aziz’s unlawfully acquired assets.
Throughout the trial, former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz consistently maintained his innocence and claimed that the charges against him were politically motivated. According to the AFP news agency, Aziz is believed to have had a falling out with his once-close political ally and current President, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. During his ten-year rule, Aziz is also alleged to have accumulated significant wealth. One of Aziz’s lawyers, Mohameden Ould Icheddou, described the trial as politically driven, stating that the verdict was also influenced by political factors. Aziz’s legal team intends to appeal against the court’s decision. This case highlights the complex dynamics within Mauritanian politics and raises questions about the motivations behind the prosecution. The trial’s outcome may have far-reaching implications for the country’s political landscape and its ongoing efforts to combat corruption.
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