afrol News, 6 April - The European Union has suspended its cooperation with Mauritania for two years saying the ties would resume after the return of a democratic rule, the EU said in a statement.

General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who formerly headed the presidential guards took power on 6 August last year, after overthrowing the democratically elected President Sidi Ould Sheikh Abdallahi.

The EU which among other relations established fisheries firm for export into the EU market said during attempts to achieve constitutional order in October, the ruling junta failed to present satisfactory proposals or commitments towards the sound democracy.

In October 2008, the EU warned the military junta that the country may face serious risk of long-lasting isolation from the international scene if it does not return to democratic rule.

“Without a consensus and a return to constitutional order, there is no possibility of any substantial resumption of EU-Mauritanian cooperation,” the bloc's statement said.

According to the statement, the follow up missions will be conducted during the two years to see if cooperation can restart. The EU has also advised the junta in a letter on the measures needed for that to happen.

In February, the African Union also imposed sanctions on the regime and its civilians. The sanctions followed the junta’s rebellious notions to cast aside threats of isolation and sanctions against the country.

Last month the newly elected AU head, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, promised to renegotiate the continental body to reconsider its decisions, but the African Union rejected the call and maintained sanctions until the democratic rule was reinstated.

Presidential elections have been set for 6 June after the military junta succumbed to pressure.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories