Protests stun Mauritania

[Turborama]

Source: AL ARABIYA

By SARA GHASEMILEE



Hundreds of pro-reform protesters demonstrated in the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott on Monday, demanding political and social reforms.

A youth movement called February 25 organized the demonstrations. The movement has been arranging sit-ins and protests using the social networking site Facebook since January 2011.

The campaign started off small with simple interaction between disgruntled young Mauritanians on Facebook, but in the past few months it has spread across the country.
The movement has publicized a 28-point list expressing grievances such as lack of representation, poverty and inequitable distribution of goods.

Members are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Moulay Ould Mohamed Laghdaf, and calling for a national coalition government made up of technocrats. They also want the Senate dismissed and the minimum wage increased to 73,000 Ouguiyas (around $269).


Read more: http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/04/25/146709.html

[demosincebirth]

1. Hmm, I wonder if they have any oil?

[Art_from_Ark]

3. Yes, they have some oil

And China has dibs on it.

[demosincebirth]

5. Who would have guessed

[Art_from_Ark]

6. And here's an article about the first oil shipment to China

http://www.afrol.com/articles/19591

[On the Road]

2. Good for Them

Maybe while they're at it they can outlaw slavery too.

[Zorra]

4. Tick...tick...tick...

[Ghost Dog]

7. "Technocrats" would be presumed to be ideology-free.

Ha ha ha.

Still, may often be the best option available.

[Ghost Dog]

8. Mauritania: Tear gas used on 'day of rage' protesters

Mauritanian police have fired tear gas at protesters attempting to hold a "day of rage" against President Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz's government.

A BBC reporter in the capital says police prevented hundreds of people from entering one of the main squares.

Twenty two people were arrested and opposition MPs were prevented from joining the demonstrators.

...

The BBC's Hamdi Mohammed in Nouakchott says the demonstration stretched for nearly a mile down the city's main street before police moved in.

/... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13188718

This sounds like rather more than the 'hundreds of protesters' al-J mentions...