Mauritania’s capital, Nouakchott, has been without mobile internet since Monday night after unrest broke out following the re-election of incumbent President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani.
AFP journalists confirmed the internet blackout as scuffles erupted in working-class districts hours after provisional results indicated Ghazouani’s victory in Saturday’s presidential poll.
Witnesses reported disturbances but did not provide details on the scale of the unrest. Despite the internet shutdown, Nouakchott appeared calm on Tuesday with businesses operating normally. Authorities have not commented on the internet restrictions, a tactic increasingly used by governments globally in response to protests.
Second-place candidate Biram Dah Abeid, an anti-slavery activist, denounced the election results, citing “massive fraud” and threatening peaceful demonstrations. He stated he would wait for his team’s verification of the election outcomes before deciding on further action.
The aftermath of the 2019 election, which also saw Ghazouani come to power, was marked by clashes, arrests, and a 10-day internet blackout, reflecting similar tensions and government responses.
