Third term could undermine Mauritania's stability

Subject

Mauritania political outlook.

Significance

Following September’s legislative elections, attention is shifting to the 2019 presidential race. President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz is slated to step down after serving two terms in office. However, signs increasingly point to a probable third term bid.

Impacts

• The president’s rivalries with prominent businessmen may shrink his political coalition even as his and his party’s formal power expands.
• Crackdowns on Muslim scholars, even those with no jihadist links, could anger youths and provoke renewed jihadist activity.
• Turmoil in Mauritania could undermine France’s long-term goal of handing responsibility for Sahelian security to the Sahel’s governments.