Election workers in Mauritania counting the votes under the light of a kerosene lamp after the first presidential elections in which a sitting president did not run. (Reuters)
Less than two years ago, colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall led a bloodless coup against then president Muawiya Weld Taye', a much disliked, chronic president ousting him and sending him into exile. Taye's presidency witnessed rampant corruption, widespread discrimination and oppression of minorities, retreating economy, and normalization of relations with Israel.
Like many military coup leaders, Vall promised swift free elections and reforms. Unlike many coup leaders, he actually carried through with his promise, holding free and fair elections, in which he and other military generals barred themselves from standing.
"Mauritania really can serve as an example for the rest of Africa. Only 19 months after a coup, you have all the stages of democracy. It's too good to be true, but it's happening," Vijay Makhan, special envoy for the African Union, told reporters.
Read more about Mauritania's experience.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Would The West Adopt Democracy If It Were This Hard?
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1 comments:
dear fayyad, I don't know what glorious democracy you believe in, anyways, the west will never adopt democracy even if it's very facilitated,,,,the great horns are sharp
I hope the US people will elect a black, woman, or a non-christian for the president position
ciao
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