In a historic ruling that marks one of the most prominent anti-corruption convictions in Africa, an appeals court in Mauritania on Wednesday sentenced former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz to 15 years in prison and imposed a $3 million fine. The decision comes after Aziz appealed an earlier five-year sentence handed down in 2023.
Aziz, a former military general who seized power in a 2008 coup and later served two terms as president, was found guilty of money laundering and illegal self-enrichment. Investigators say he amassed over $70 million in unexplained wealth during his decade-long rule. He has remained in custody since his initial conviction.
The court’s decision also includes the dissolution of the “Errahma” (Mercy) Foundation, a charitable organization run by Aziz’s son, whose assets will now be seized by the state. In addition, Aziz’s son-in-law received a two-year prison sentence for influence peddling, while six other senior officials from his administration were acquitted.
The verdict is widely seen as a significant milestone in the fight against high-level corruption on the African continent, where legal action against former heads of state is rare. Aziz’s lawyers, however, have denounced the trial as politically motivated, portraying it as part of a personal vendetta led by current President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani.
Aziz and Ghazouani were once close allies, with Ghazouani serving as defense minister and later being handpicked by Aziz as his successor. Their relationship deteriorated rapidly after Ghazouani’s election in 2019, which marked Mauritania’s first peaceful democratic transfer of power since gaining independence from France in 1960. Tensions escalated when Aziz sought to reclaim influence by attempting to take over a major political party, prompting parliament to launch a corruption probe in 2020 against him and 11 associates.
Mauritania, a country of approximately 4.5 million people, is endowed with significant natural resources, including iron ore, gold, copper, oil, and natural gas. However, the benefits of this wealth have not trickled down to the broader population. According to the United Nations, nearly 60% of Mauritanians live in poverty, with many working in subsistence farming or the informal economy.
The lack of economic opportunities has driven a growing number of young Mauritanians to seek better lives abroad, with some risking perilous journeys to Europe or attempting to reach the United States via Latin America.
Wednesday’s court ruling is expected to resonate both within Mauritania and across the continent, as it raises questions about accountability, political rivalry, and the future of democratic governance in West Africa.
By FCCT Editorial Team freeslots dinogame telegram营销
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