The Impact of the 2005 Military Coup in Mauritania on Political Stability and Governance

On 3 August 2005, a significant military coup in Mauritania, led by Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, marked the end of President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya's twenty-one-year rule. The coup was strategically executed while Ould Taya was attending the funeral of Saudi King Fahd, allowing the military, including members of the presidential guard, to seize control of key locations in the capital, Nouakchott, with minimal resistance. Remarkably, the coup was carried out without any loss of life, showcasing a level of restraint and organization among the military forces. Following the takeover, the officers formed the Military Council for Justice and Democracy, pledging to restore stability and democratic governance in the country. They committed to organizing elections within two years, a promise that was fulfilled with a referendum held on 26 June 2006. This referendum resulted in an overwhelming 97% approval from Mauritanians for a new constitution that aimed to limit the duration of a president's term in office, reflecting a significant shift towards democratic principles in Mauritania's political landscape. #mooflife #mof #MomentOfLife #Mauritania #MilitaryCoup #ElyOuldMohamedVall #MaaouyaOuldSid'ahmedTaya #Democracy