BAN WELCOMES DECREE SETTING UP TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT IN MAURITANIA

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the signing of a decree setting up a transitional government in Mauritania, which he hopes will pave the way for the holding of free and fair presidential elections next month.

A statement issued by his spokesperson said Mr. Ban considered the decree signed on 26 June "an important step towards the consolidation of democracy in the country."

President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallah, who was elected after multi-party democratic elections in 2007, was overthrown by the country's military last August in a move that was widely condemned, including by Mr. Ban and the United Nations Security Council.
"The Secretary-General hopes that the new transitional government, created through constructive dialogue between the main Mauritanian political parties, will lead the country towards a free, fair and transpar
ent presidential election, held in a safe environment, on 18 July 2009," said the statement.

Mr. Ban reiterated his gratitude to President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, the Chairman of the African Union and the facilitators who worked as part of the International Contact Group to assist the Mauritanian parties in finding "a consensual way out of the crisis."

________________

Democracy, Human Rights, Refugees: Consensual Agreement Among Mauritanian Parties

The Government of the United States applauds the Mauritanian parties for reaching a consensual agreement that will restore constitutional order through a transitional process to resolve the current political crisis. We commend Senegalese President Wade for his vision and persistent pursuit of this agreement. The accord represents a laudable success for the African Union and the African people in resolving this crisis. The United States will, in conjunction with the other members of the International Contact Group and community, actively support all parties to this agreement, including efforts to ensure that the resultant elections are organized and held in a free, fair and credible manner.

Press Releases: U.S. Welcomes Mauritanian President’s Proposed Dialogue

U.S. Welcomes Mauritanian President's Proposed Dialogue

Robert Wood

Acting Department Spokesman

Washington, DC

February 23, 2009

The United States welcomes the proposal made by President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheick Abdallahi to the International Contact Group that met in Paris on February 20, 2009 to discuss Mauritania. President Abdallahi proposed a dialogue that will develop a consensual and lasting solution predicated on restoring the President's constitutional functions, an honorable exit for the members of the junta, and early and transparent presidential and legislative elections. President Abdallahi's initiative conforms fully with the demands of the international community and offers an inclusive and democratic basis for a durable resolution of the current crisis. We call upon the people of Mauritania, as well as their international partners, to seize this opportunity to restore constitutional order and to end political paralysis and international estrangement.

PRN: 2009/142
US State department