In a farewell message, Mauritania's former Interior Minister, Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Amin, highlighted the significant progress made in the interior sector during his time in office. He noted that over 95% of citizens are now registered in the national population register. This development has been accompanied by the creation of 19 new municipalities and a doubling of allocations to the Regional Development Fund. These efforts aim to enhance local governance and development.
Ould Mohamed Amin's message was addressed to his successor, the Minister Delegate for Decentralization and Local Development, as well as to leaders and members of security agencies, administrative officials, and local elected representatives. He expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts made during his tenure. The former minister also emphasized the importance of continued commitment to national objectives, as outlined by President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani.
In the area of civil status, Ould Mohamed Amin mentioned the revision of the relevant law and the issuance of implementing texts. He also highlighted the introduction of permanent registration in the national population register and the digitization of procedures. A notable innovation in this regard is the "Hawiyati" application, which aims to facilitate access to civil status services.
The former minister also reviewed the sector's achievements in the political sphere. These include a revision of the legal framework for political parties and the establishment of a platform for managing their files. Additionally, the sector supported three political dialogues with parties from the majority and opposition, as well as civil society organizations. These dialogues accompanied the 2023 parliamentary, regional, and municipal elections, as well as the 2024 presidential election.
Ould Mohamed Amin noted that the revision of electoral texts enabled the election of representatives of Mauritanian communities abroad to parliament for the first time. Furthermore, a parliamentary list reserved for youth was introduced, and the level of representation was increased. These changes reflect efforts to enhance inclusivity and youth participation in the electoral process.
In the security domain, the former minister highlighted the review of texts related to the basic systems of security agencies. He also emphasized the strengthening of their professional capacities, improvement of border management, and preparedness to deal with crises. The role of administrative authorities in addressing land disputes, combating illegal land allocation, and monitoring security situations was also acknowledged.
Finally, Ould Mohamed Amin expressed his confidence in his successor, Moukhtar Ould Ahmed Bousif, and urged sector workers to support him. He also thanked President El Ghazouani for the trust placed in him during his tenure and wished Mauritania continued security, stability, and prosperity.
Key points
- Over 95% of Mauritanian citizens are now registered in the national population register.
- The interior sector created 19 new municipalities and doubled allocations to the Regional Development Fund.
- The sector introduced permanent registration in the national population register and digitized civil status procedures.
