Mauritania political pardon, prisoners released
Mauritania, Politics, 9/3/2005

Col. Ala' Muhammad Weld Faal, chairman of the military council for justice and democracy in Mauritania on Friday evening announced "total and complete pardon to all detainees convicted of political crimes and minor crimes."

In a speech to the Mauritanian people, quoted by al-Jazeera satellite TV, Faal said that "the matter requires participation in the process of building the homeland and unifying the efforts to ensure a future of peace." Faal also announced that the ruling military council and the government will spare no effort during the interim phase in order to improve the living conditions for citizens.

The chairman of the military council welcomed the position of the countries and international establishments which supported the change in Mauritania. He stressed his country's commitment to the principles and objectives approved by the UN, the African Union and the Organization of the Islamic Conference OIC.

Faal also announced he will not personally nor members of the ruling military council in Mauritania be nominated for the next presidential and legislative elections expected in Mauritania within 2 years.

He added that also members of his government will be also banned from being nominated for these elections, noting that this decision came "to convince those who have fears within the international group concerning the objectives and nature of the change on August 2nd." On the other hand, news reports said that a state of joy spread among Mauritanians following the pardon decision, noting that the operations of releasing the detainees will start immediately.

Mauritania witnessed a coupe on August 3rd that toppled former President of Mauritania Muaaweya weld Seidi al-Taye, carried out by a military council led by col. Ala' Weld Muhammad Faal.

On Friday evening 32 persons were released from the central prison of Nouakchott including Lt. Weld Hanana, who was convicted in February this year of taking part in the failed coupe attempt against former President Mu'aweya Weld Seidi Ahmad al-Taye in 2003.

This was made according to the ultimate pardoning given to all persons convicted in political crimes. The pardoning was announced on Friday by the chairman of the ruling military council for justice and democracy col. Ala' Weld Muhammad Faal.

In a statement to al-Jazeera TV following his release, Weld Hanan commended the leaders of the coupe. He said that the people of Mauritania are released from a huge prison where they were put by Weld al-Taye.

Weld Hanan said he will practice politics, noting that all sides will work for establishing democracy in collaboration with the new ruling regime.

News reports in Nouakchott also said that Mauritanian officers who are supporting weld al-Taye and opposed the military coupe which toppled him were also released.

Previous Stories:
  Imprisonment for two leaders of failed coupe in Mauritania eased   (8/30/2005)
  Ministerial committees prepare for 'good government' in Mauritania   (8/29/2005)
  Mauritania asks UN support for elections   (8/29/2005)

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