Gen. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who overthrew an elected government in Mauritania nearly a year ago, has himself claimed victory in the new election held July 18—but four opposing candidates rejected the result. By Interior Ministry figures, Abdel Aziz won the election by 52.6%, or 409,100 votes. Rival candidates Messaoud Ould Boulkheir, Ahmed Ould Daddah, Ely Ould Mohamed Vall and Hamady Ould Meimou rejected the results in a joint declaration at a press conference as the results were announced the day after the vote.
Abdel Aziz presented himself as the defender of the poor and promised to bring "constructive change"—despite leading a military junta that has ruled Mauritania since last August's coup d'etat. The election was monitored by 250 observers from the African Union, European Union, and the Arab League. (AllAfrica.com [2], July 20)
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