Reply #5: UPDATE:Troops oust leader of Mauritania, promise democracy (AFP) [View All]

[Up2Late]

(I hate being so cynical, but I bet the U.S. is condemning this for different reasons than the rest of the world. World reason: Coup d'etat is the wrong way to do it. U.S. Reason: Over throwing the U.S. Backed Dictator of an Oil Rich "Ally" is bad.)

Troops oust leader of Mauritania, promise democracy

03/08/2005 21h06

NOUAKCHOTT (AFP) - Troops seized power in the oil-rich northwest African country of Mauritania, overthrowing President Maaouya Ould Taya while he was abroad and pledging to bring in democracy, in a move which sparked condemnation from US and other leaders. "The military and the security forces have unanimously decided to put an end to the totalitarian practices of the regime from which our people have suffered so much in the last years," a statement quoted by the state news agency said, adding that the new regime would usher in democracy within two years.

The statement was issued several hours after troops took over the armed forces headquarters and state radio and television buildings at dawn, surrounding ministries and the presidential palace in the capital Nouakchott. Although residents of the city later emerged from their homes to express support for the coup leaders in apparently spontaneous protests, the United States joined other nations and multilateral bodies in voicing strong condemnation.

The US called for "a peaceful return to order under the constitution and the established government of President (Ould) Taya", acting State Department spokesman Tom Casey said adding Ould Taya, a US ally, was "the established, constitutional president of Mauritania". "Certainly there is no reason in our mind for any kind of extra-constitutional action," he said.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan also condemned the seizure of power, with spokesman Stephane Dujarric saying he was "deeply troubled" by the reports. Dujarric stressed that Annan "condemns any attempt to change the government of any country unconstitutionally" and insists that political disagreements be settled peacefully through democratic means.

<http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/050803210643.thqv3yri.html>
(more at link above)