re: article
Mauritanian opposition sees looming spectre of civil war
Nouakchott, Mauritania, 08/24 - An opposition figure Sunday said prevailing situation in Mauritania was rife with "all the ingredients" leading to a civil war, with "tribes at odds and likely to clash at any time".
Parliamentarian and leader of the Progressive Popular Alliance (APP), Messaoud Ould Belkheir, was alluding to the "conspiracy" announced by Nouakchott authorities 8 August aimed at overthrowing the regime.
Describing the situation as "extremely serious", Ould Belkheir urged President Maaouiya Ould Sid`Ahmed Taya to address the nation and "speak the language of truth" to Mauritanians in a bid to "calm things down and ease tension."
The APP leader, a defeated candidate in the presidential election of November 2003, also called for the opening of "frank, direct and responsible dialogue" between the regime and the opposition, in the interest of the Mauritanian people.
The announcement 8 August of a large-scale destabilisation attempt allegedly aimed at seizing power was followed by the arrest of several dozens of senior and low-ranking military officers, the bulk of whom are natives of southern Mauritania.
Most of the officers are related to the suspects of the abortive coup attempt of June 2003, whose masterminds are still at large.
HDR Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Not Held
