Mauritania Alert: Former minister arrested

Isselmou Ould Abdelkader, an independent researcher and former minister, was arrested on October 21, 2008 in Nouakchott, by members of the combined unit of the National Gendarmerie following a complaint lodged against him by Mauritania’s Defence Minister.

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) correspondent reported that in the course of a live debate organized on 6 October, 2008 by Mauritania’s state television station, Abdelkader claimed that the Presidential Security Unit (BASEP), which staged the August 6, 2008, coup is made up of foreign militia listed on the payroll of General Ould Abdel Aziz, head of the ruling junta.

Subsequently, Sidi Ould Lemjad, host of the programme Point Lumineux, was dismissed on October 9 2008, together with Limam Cheikh Ould Ely, then Director of Mauritania TV at the time of the broadcast. Limam Cheikh Ould Ely was also arrested and questioned by the National Gendarmerie on October 22, 2008.

Media Foundation for West Africa