August 04, 2005, 07:15
Richard Cornwel, a researcher at the institute of security studies, says the Mauritania coup did not come as a surprise to many.
He says President Maaouyia Ould Taya’s failed attempts to impress the United States have turned the people against him. Taya reportedly used the threat of Islamic militant terrorism to gain favour of the US and in order to crackdown on his domestic opponents.
Taya was ousted by Mohammed Val, one of his closets confidants, and high ranking officials in his government. Val had been police chief since 1986 was assisted by 16 other members of the council. "This is not a junior coup. It is far more than that...and it appears that it has the support of most of the security forces," said Cornwel.
Kofi Annan, the United Nations secretary-general, together with several African leaders, has condemned the seize of power in Mauritania. The United States also demanded the return to constitutional rule and especially to the ousted president.
Meanwhile, France did not entirely condemn the coup but called for a speedy return to democracy. Cornwel said: "There will be a lot of noise from the African Union, but what they can do about it remains to be seen."
The Military Council for Justice and Democracy will rule for two years and have vowed to restore democracy to Mauritania. The coup has been well received on the streets of the oil-rich north-western African country.
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