Mauritania: elevated political risk, new opposition alliance formed

Summary The formation of a political opposition alliance ahead of legislative and municipal elections scheduled for August 15 doe not immediately imperil the hold on power by the Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz regime. But fears of Aziz’ clan consolidating electoral power through upcoming foreign investments in the country’s hydrocarbons sector raises the outlook for violence as the means to effect a redistribution Mauritania’s clan-based balance of power. Analysis The formation in Mauritania of an opposition political alliance on July 11 does not immediately imperil President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. But should the nascent alliance stoke existing dissent within the Aziz …

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