The government of Mauritania, led by Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djiay, resigned on October 9, 2026, following a report that criticized the handling of two major fires at power transformation stations in August. The fires, which occurred on August 21 and 22, 2026, left many areas of Nouakchott without electricity for several days. The report, submitted by an independent commission led by former Finance Minister Ousmane Mamoudou Kane, identified "serious shortcomings in prevention, electrical protection, work control, and emergency management."
The commission's report estimated the cost of replacing the damaged cables at over $9 million and recommended a freeze on payments related to the project. The findings likely contributed to the government's decision to resign, although the official reasons for the resignation were not specified. The Prime Minister had been in office since August 2024, when President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani began his second term.
President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani appointed Mokhtar Ould Djiay as Prime Minister in August 2024, and his government had undergone two reshuffles since then. This makes Ould Djiay the third Prime Minister appointed by President Ghazouani during his two terms in office. The President will now need to form a new government.
The two fires in August caused significant disruptions to daily life in Nouakchott, with many areas affected by the power outages. The Société mauritanienne d'électricité (Somelec), the national electricity company, reported that it took around five days to fully restore power after the incidents. The government had faced criticism for its handling of the crisis.
The resignation of the government comes at a time when Mauritania is working to improve its infrastructure and address challenges in the energy sector. The country has been investing in new projects to enhance its electricity supply and reduce reliance on imported fuel. The outcome of the government's resignation and the implementation of the report's recommendations will be closely watched.
President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani was re-elected for a second term in office, and his administration has prioritized economic development and infrastructure improvements. The energy sector remains a key area of focus, with efforts to increase access to electricity and improve the reliability of the national grid.
The future of Mauritania's energy sector and the formation of a new government will be critical in addressing the country's challenges and implementing necessary reforms. The government's resignation highlights the need for effective governance and leadership in addressing the nation's pressing issues.
Key points
- The Mauritanian government resigned due to a report highlighting negligence in the handling of two major power outages in Nouakchott.
- The report estimated the cost of replacing damaged cables at over $9 million and recommended a freeze on payments related to the project.
- The resignation marks the end of Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djiay's tenure, which began in August 2024.
