Lyn FransAn appeals court in Mauritania sentenced former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz to 15 years in prison and imposed a $3 million fine on Wednesday after he appealed a previous five-year sentence.
Aziz, who played a role in two coups, served two terms as president of the northwest African nation and became a counterterrorism ally to Western countries.
In 2023, he was found guilty of money laundering and self-enrichment, with investigators reporting that he amassed over $70 million in assets during his time in power. He has been in custody since the verdict was issued.
This trial is notable as it represents a rare case of an African leader being prosecuted for corruption. Aziz’s legal team has characterized the proceedings as a vendetta against him by current President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani.
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The recent verdict exonerated six senior officials from Aziz’s administration but sentenced his son-in-law to two years in prison for influence peddling. Additionally, the court ordered the dissolution of the “Errahma” (Mercy) Foundation, led by Aziz’s son, and the seizure of its assets.
Ghazouani and Aziz were once allies until Ghazouani assumed the presidency in 2019, marking the country’s first peaceful transfer of power since independence. Their relationship soured over Aziz’s attempts to take control of a major political party after leaving office, leading to a parliamentary commission opening a corruption inquiry against him and 11 others in 2020.
Despite Mauritania’s wealth in natural resources such as iron ore, copper, zinc, phosphate, gold, oil, and natural gas, nearly 60% of the population lives in poverty, according to the United Nations. Many people work as farmers or in informal employment, and with limited economic opportunities for young people, numerous individuals are attempting to migrate to Europe, while some are trying to reach the United States via Mexico.
