The Coalition for Democratic Alternation in 2029 (CAD 2029) has strongly condemned the treatment of two Mauritanian opposition deputies, Mariam Cheikh and Kamou Achour. According to the coalition, the Constitutional Council recently decided to strip the two deputies of their parliamentary mandates. This move is seen as a culmination of a politico-judicial process initiated by the executive to punish and sideline the two parliamentarians for their stance against the government's actions.
The CAD 2029 claims that the executive branch had arrested the two deputies and imprisoned them, disregarding their parliamentary immunity. The deputies were accused of a fabricated crime, and the coalition asserts that this was a tactic to bypass the Parliament and expedite the process. The two deputies were subsequently sentenced to heavy prison terms and loss of civil rights. Although they were granted "pardon" by the President, the parliamentary bureau prevented them from freely exercising their duties.
The CAD 2029 further alleges that the President of the Parliament was faced with a dilemma after making contradictory statements. To prevent the two deputies from attending parliamentary sessions, the President took an unfair decision pending the Supreme Court's verdict, which was widely anticipated to be in favor of the ruling party. The Supreme Court's President is an active member of the ruling INSAF party.
On September 29, 2026, the Minister of Justice petitioned the Constitutional Council to declare the two deputies' mandates null and void before the start of the parliamentary session on October 1, 2026. The CAD 2029 views this move as the culmination of a plot by the executive to settle scores with the two opposition deputies. The coalition expresses concern over the authoritarian tendencies of the government, which aim to severely restrict the freedom of expression of deputies, human rights activists, and serious opponents.
The CAD 2029 has expressed its solidarity with the two deputies, Mariem and Kamou, for their sacrifices in defending the interests of the Mauritanian people. The coalition has called on political parties, civil society organizations, and all national forces to condemn the executive's control over the Parliament and the Judiciary. They demand an end to the witch hunt against opponents and the immediate release of all opinion prisoners who have fallen victim to arbitrariness.
The CAD 2029's Commission of Communication released a statement on October 3, 2026, denouncing the government's actions and calling for the protection of democratic values. The coalition's statement highlights the need for the government to respect the rights and freedoms of citizens, particularly those of opposition deputies and activists.
The situation has sparked widespread concern among human rights groups and opposition parties in Mauritania. The CAD 2029's condemnation of the government's actions is seen as a significant development in the country's ongoing struggle for democratic reforms and human rights.
Key points
- The Mauritanian government has been accused of using judicial and parliamentary processes to silence opposition voices.
- Two opposition deputies, Mariam Cheikh and Kamou Achour, have been stripped of their parliamentary mandates.
- The Coalition for Democratic Alternation in 2029 has called for an end to the government's authoritarian tendencies and the release of opinion prisoners.
