The court on Tuesday decided to stay proceedings on jurisdictional issues pending the conclusion of proceedings in the landmark unlawful enrichment trial of former Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.
The defense argued that Mr. Aziz and his dozen co-defendants could not be tried in the criminal chamber during the days-long legal dispute between the parties over the court’s jurisdiction.
The ex-president Ould Aziz, who ruled The Islamic Republic of Mauritania, an Arab and African country located between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa from 2008 until 2019, is being tried since January 25 for having “abused his power” in order to amass an immense fortune, alongside two former prime ministers, former ministers, and businessmen. Ten in total at the beginning, the defendants are now 11, one of them, absent at the opening, having been able to join the trial.
Furthermore, the defense’s demand for the release of its clients, who had been arrested the day before the hearing, also took up most of the discussion. In the end, the court denied these requests.
Mr. Aziz, a commander who was installed as president in 2009 after being overthrown in 2008, disputes the allegations and calls out for the conspiracy to keep him out of politics.
The former strong president of this country, once shaken by “coups d’etat” and jihadist actions but returned to stability under his presidency, is one of the rare former heads of state to be held accountable for the way in which he grew rich in power.