Mauritania <3 Democracy

Although often out of the spotlight, recent developments in Mauritania have been really interesting. Part of what has been so striking is that just a few years ago Mauritania was seen as one of the least progressive countries in the world (it was probably most famous for being one of the last places to outlaw slavery, which continued unofficially even after that). As has been demonstrated time and time again, internal political development and maturation do not happen in a vacuum and Mauritania is no exception. While the world's eyes and resources are focused elsewhere a modest amount of support could do wonders for helping Mauritania continue in this current positive direction. Salma Waheedi of the Arab Reform Bulletin recently published an excellent level-headed appraisal of the current state of Mauritania:

Mauritania, an often-ignored country on the western periphery of the Arab world, surprised observers two years ago by undertaking one of the most forthcoming advances toward democracy in the region. Democratic reforms came as a result of a 2005 bloodless military coup led by Colonel Ely Ould Mohammad Vall. Vall demonstrated enlightened leadership by pledging to restore democracy and ensure a constitutional transfer of power through free and fair elections. A swift political transition process culminated

in credible legislative and presidential elections. President Sidi Mohammad Ould al-Sheikh Abdullahi, an independent, formerly exiled economist who served in previous cabinets, was elected in March 2007 in the country's first peaceful transfer of power. Abdullahi pledged to fight corruption, guarantee freedom of speech, alleviate poverty, eliminate slavery, and promote justice and national reconciliation. [For the complete article click, here]