- The ousted National Front for the Defence of Democracy (FNDD) has demanded an end to the electoral process that would lead to Mauritania's controversial presidential polls planned for 6 June this year.
According to the party's statement issued in Mauritania's capital Nouakchott, the FNDD leadership said all initiatives aimed at resolving the country's crisis must ensure that the country's junta fails by stopping the execution of its electoral agenda.
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.
In its press statement, FNDD reaffirmed its refusal to legalise the coup and stressed its attachment to an all-inclusive national dialogue under the auspices of the international community. The party has also demanded the release of former Prime Minister Yahya Ould Ahmed Waghef.
Senegal reportedly proposed roundtable talks with the warring parties to find solutions to the Mauritanian political crisis and also called for the postponement of the presidential election while all stakeholders consider the formation of the government of national unity.
Meanwhile, the Mauritanian Senate President, Mamadou Ba, was sworn in as the Acting President of the country following the resignation of General Aziz as head of state.
The move was said to be made to enable Mr Aziz to qualify to run for president in the upcoming election. Announcing his candidacy for the 6 June election a few days ago, Mr Aziz said he had to step down at least 45 days before the polls in accordance with the constitution.
More than a week ago, the European Union suspended its cooperation with Mauritania for two years saying the ties would resume after the return of a democratic rule.
In February, the African Union (AU) also imposed sanctions on the military regime and its civilian collaborators. 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 that the continental body was to reconsider its decisions, but the Union rejected the call and maintained that sanctions would be upheld until democratic rule was reinstated.
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