Mo, yes indeed, the slavery question and the plight of the thousands of Black Mauritanians must be addressed for their revolution to be complete. I hope they turn the corner for Mauritania and Africa. Chi Jaama Joe >From: Mo Baldeh <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list ><[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: FW: Jeune Afrique Interview with Ely Vall (Mauritanian >President) >Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2006 08:55:52 -0700 > >Bambalaye, > > Thanks for the forward. I find Vall's interview quite illuminating. His >position on the participation of women in politics and self-perpetuating >rule are noteworthy. > > If anything, the current Gambian leadership needs to take a cue from the >following statement: > > "When the same person and the same system remain in power for three >decades, and the people have no prospect of change, this opens the door to >all kinds of incidents and violence." > > A lesson that Jawara woefully failed to learn until 22nd July 1994. > > What I found inadequate in Vall’s interview with Jeune Afrique was his >response to the question of returnees. Hundreds of thousands of black >Mauritanians (Wollofs, Fulas, and Serahulles) are still stranded on the >Senegalese and Malian sides of the border after having been forcefully >evicted from their homes in 1988. Most of them lost their belongings >including their national identification documents as their homes were >attacked and their women gang-raped by marauding groups of Moors. > > FLAM, the Mauritanian rebel movement in exile, has already denounced >Vall’s government for not doing enough to speed up the return of these >refugees. The system of admitting only those with ID sounds arbitrary. It >is a façade aimed at reducing the black population in the country. > > Vall can make all the promises he wants on leadership, but so far as the >thorny issues of slavery and the rights of the black people are not >seriously addressed, Mauritania is bound to be a cauldron of instability in >that part of the continent. > > Momodou. > > > >BambaLaye <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Special Dispatch Series - No. >1304 >October 4, 2006 No.1304 > >Mauritanian President Ely Ould Mohamed Vall on Reform in His Country: ‘It >Was Necessary to Break... the Logic of Lifelong Rule’ > >Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall came to power on August 3, 2005, through a >bloodless coup that toppled the 20-year dictatorship of Maaouiya Ould >Taya. He was named President of Mauritania by the Military Council for >Justice and Democracy (MCJD), which he headed. It should be noted that on >Monday, October 1, 2006, an official ceremony was held to mark a new law >putting an end to the Interior Ministry's control over the press; in >practice, no censorship has been exercised since President Mohamed Vall >assumed power in 2005. During the July 2006 African Union summit at >Banjul, a motion congratulating Ely Ould Mohamed Vall was thwarted by the >opposition of the president of the AU commission, Alpha Oumar Konaré. > >In July, the Paris-based newsweekly Jeune Afrique published an interview >with the Mauritanian president, in which he discussed the reforms he has >implemented - a new constitution, limitation of the presidential term, >minimum representation level of 20% for women in political parties - as >well as his plans for the future. > >The following are excerpts from the interview: [1] > > > > >"The August 3, 2005 Popular Coup Was the Mother of All the Ensuing Changes" > >Jeune Afrique: "You don't like it when people call your rise to power a >coup. Why this reservation?" > >President Ely Ould Mohamed Vall: "I see this as having been a major >change, the mother of all the ensuing changes. I never conceived, >experienced, and managed [the events of] August 3 as a coup. What existed >before it was not order, but rather institutional disorder. From the >beginning, our action has always rested on a national consensus. No one >can deny this. Is there any better foundation or anything more legitimate >than popular consensus?" > >Jeune Afrique: "This can no longer be contested, since a new constitution >was adopted on June 25 by a referendum in which 96% voted yes, with a 77% >participation rate. This was a Soviet-style plebiscite!" > >Vall: "Possibly, but without the Supreme Soviet, the sole party, the >political commissars, and the stuffing of the ballot boxes. We proposed a >plan, and the vast majority of citizens approved it of their own free >will. [The meaning of this is] crystal clear." > > >"When the Same Person and the Same System Remain in Power for Three >Decades, and the People Have No Prospect of Change, This Opens the Door to >All Kinds of Incidents and Violence" > >Jeune Afrique: "The new clauses ban, among others things, the amendment of >the constitution on one key point: the duration of the presidential term. >From now on, it will last for five years, with the possibility of a second >five-year term, and no more…" > >Vall: "The root of the Mauritanian ills was [in] the refusal to allow >transfer of power at the summit, which made transfer of power impossible >de facto, if not de jure. Hence the decision to make it obligatory after >10 years. When the same person and the same system remain in power for two >or three decades, and the people have no prospect of change, this opens >the door to all kinds of incidents and violence"... > >Jeune Afrique: "Did you have a plan of action, a definite agenda, in mind >when you took power?" > >Vall: "Not really. I had a few ideas and an order of priorities. I knew >that the new Mauritania would be built on three elements: justice, good >management, and the [regular] transfer of power. Everything we have done >since then has had to do with these three poles, and each time we took a >step forward, we knew that the national consensus was with us." > >Jeune Afrique: "Have there been disagreements within the Military Council >[for Justice and Democracy] on the procedure to follow?" > >Vall: "Not at all. From the beginning, all the Council members made the >same diagnosis, and agreed on the same remedies. The Council both >discusses issues and makes decisions. It convenes on a regular basis, two >or three times every four months - and works in cooperation with the >government." > >Jeune Afrique: "But who is the boss? You or the Military Council?" > >Vall: "The MCJD is a group that makes decisions on behalf of the country. >I am the MCJD president and enjoy as such all the prerogatives connected >with this function." > >Jeune Afrique: "You have personally seen to it over the last year that >there be no settling of scores and no witch hunt of the members of the >former regime. Why? Is it because you yourselves are, in a sense, a part >of it?" > >Vall: "It has nothing to do with that. I believe that from the very first >day, change had to be for the good of all Mauritanians and at the expense >of no one. I never deviated from this line of conduct. You know, every >single political leader in this country, including the former opposition >members, has at some point served the autocratic system that was in place >since independence. With such a general system that makes democratic >change impossible, why should we stigmatize this or that regime? No one is >entitled to teach others, no one is more legitimate than anyone else. The >change that occurred on August 3 did not put an end to any regime in >particular, but rather to a 45-year-old system that was completely worn >out." > >Jeune Afrique: "So there will be no investigations on the fortune or the >propriety of this or that person?" > >Vall: "If we begin investigating, we will have to go four decades back. >This would cause serious damage. Seriously, it is out of the question. We >would lose time and it would be an unending source of controversy." > > >Vall, MCJD Members Won't Run in March 2007 Elections: "It Was Necessary >to… Break Once and For All the Logic of Lifelong Rule" > >Jeune Afrique: "You made a commitment not to run in the March 2007 >presidential election - neither you nor any other member of the MCJD or >the government. I know you are a man who keeps his word, but still, can >you repeat this here?" > >Vall: "Listen, the Mauritanians don't doubt it at all, but since you >insist, I will say it again. Never did I consider reneging on such a >solemn commitment. It was necessary to make a significant symbolic rupture >in people's minds and break once and for all the logic of lifelong rule. >If I were to be a candidate next March, then you could justly claim that >August 3 was yet another coup, and then all the changes that were >introduced since then would not have been good for anything." > >Jeune Afrique: "So on March 11, 2007, your work will be over." > >Vall: "I am certain of it." > >Jeune Afrique: "You request a significant sacrifice from your >collaborators - and particularly from your ministers and Prime Minister. >For five years they will not be allowed to hold any elective office, even >though they probably did a good job." > >Vall: "I believe our contract was clear. And I am sure they agree with me >on the reasons for these limits. We all share the same ideal." > >Jeune Afrique: "Will you support a given candidate for the presidency?" > >Vall: "I have said, and I will repeat: we will not be supporting anyone." > >Jeune Afrique: "And what if this or that candidate claims to be supported >by you?" > >Vall: "I will issue a communiqué to underscore that no one is authorized >to claim that I support him." > >Jeune Afrique: "What will happen to the military committee after the >elections?" > >Vall: "On the day of the elections it will dissolve itself." > > >"Had I Been Able to Impose [On the Political Parties] a 50% Quota for >Women, I Would Have" > >Q: "At the end of June, you took a step that is quite revolutionary for >anyone who knows Mauritanian society. During the parliamentary and >municipal elections to be held on November 19, 20% of each list and party >will have to be women. This is the required quota. Are you a supporter of >affirmative action?" > >Vall: "I will make myself clear even if what I say seems shocking. One of >our main problems in Mauritania is that women, who represent 50% of the >population, for the most part do not work, are not productive, depend on >men, and remain outside culture and education. For many this is a source >of huge frustration, which they vent in wild expenditures. What a waste! >What a jam for a developing country! The solution is simple: include women >in the economical and political production process, with great >determination. Had I been able to impose a 50% quota, I would have. This >is how important it is." > >Jeune Afrique: "Could a woman lead Mauritania one day?" > >Vall: "In my opinion, yes." > > >"The Priority for Use of Oil Money Must Be Productive Investment... No >Slush Funds or Bribes, Just Constant Honesty and Transparency" > >Jeune Afrique: "Another - more passive - revolution occurred with oil. >Since February 26, Mauritania has joined the club of the oil-producing >countries. It has done so on a modest scale, but still, a $200-million >income is expected for this year, which is not nothing. How do you intend >to manage this manna?" > >Vall: "By doing what is necessary so that it becomes a factor of >development and not of criminalization. This means total transparency, the >possibility of tracing every petrodollar upstream and downstream, the >creation of a fund for future generations and the adhesion of Mauritania >to all the international initiatives aimed at promoting and controlling >management in this field. The aim of this country - and this has already >been reached - is that no one, whether he be head of state, [a] minister, >a company manager, or a foreign partner, will be able to play with oil >money"... > >Jeune Afrique: "What do you have to say to the Mauritanians regarding the >oil issue: not to dream?" > >Vall: "I tell the future leaders of this country, again and again: …The >Mauritanians must not consider themselves an unproductive country with an >income. It would be a serious mistake. The priority for use of oil money >must be productive investment, rather than the functioning of the state. >No slush funds or bribes, just constant honesty and transparency." > > > > > >The Refugee Problem > >Jeune Afrique: "There still is, on the other side of the Senegalese >border, a few thousand black Mauritanian refugees who were expelled in >1989-90. They demand an organized return to the country. Why hasn't this >problem been solved yet, one year after your rise to power?" > >Vall: "Any person who claims to be Mauritanian can and must present >himself at the border. We immediately check him, and if there is proof >that he is a Mauritanian national, he is welcome home. You are inquiring >about an organized, collective return? Why not? I am not against it - as >long as no one escapes the individual checking of nationality when >crossing the border. This checking can only happen before [crossing the >border], not afterwards." > >(…) > > >Ould Taya's People Took Violent Action to Prevent the Referendum > >Jeune Afrique: "Half a dozen relatives of former president Ould Taya, both >civilians and military men, were arrested on the eve of the June 25 >referendum. What are they accused of?" > >Vall: "We are talking about a very small group of individuals who are >well-known and who have been kept track of for a long time. They had >decided to take violent action in order to prevent that the referendum, >which they saw as a point of no return, from taking place under normal >conditions.On all other issues, the investigation is ongoing, and the >courts will say what they have to say about this affair when the time >comes." > >Jeune Afrique: "They all have one common point: they are all linked to >Maaouniya Ould Taya, who is exiled in Qatar." > >Vall: "I do not want to deal with this issue. What I do want to say is >that apart from a few isolated instances, I know of no one in Mauritania >who is nostalgic for the former regime."... > > >Salafist Threat in Mauritania? > >Jeune Afrique: "About 30 Islamists were arrested in May and June at >Nouakchott for very serious reasons: They had weapons in their possession >and were planning terrorist attacks. Is there a Salafist threat in >Mauritania?" > >Vall: "No more and no less than anywhere else. These people were for the >most part linked to the Algerian GSPC, and some had taken part in the >attack of the Lemgheity army base, in June 2005." > >Jeune Afrique: "The Mauritanian borders have a reputation for being rather >porous." > >Vall: "This is completely wrong. No terrorist group ever passed through >Mauritania to go and attack another country, and until now, thank God, our >country was spared this plague. This is partly due to the efficiency of >our security services. We often hear people say that Mauritania is weak, >porous, open to all four winds. This is only in appearance. In reality, >this country is much more solid and united than what people say."... > > >The West Sahara Conflict > >Jeune Afrique: "You have an interest in the conflict in the Western Sahara >to which - and this is the least we can say - we see no solution. Has your >position evolved?" > >Vall: "No. It is still the same: neutrality, respect of international >legality - that is, of U.N. decisions. Beyond that, we support any >consensus solution between the parties. This conflict has lasted for 30 >years, and it affects us all." > > >Crisis "Should [Not] Put into Question Our General Approach to Relations >with the Israelis and the Palestinians... We Advocate Restraint and >Constant Search for a Political Solution" > >Jeune Afrique: "There were demonstrations in support of the Palestinians a >few days ago at Nouakchott. Won't the recent escalation of the crisis, in >Gaza and in Lebanon, lead you to freeze your diplomatic relations with >Israel?" > >Vall: "Mauritanian demonstrations on this issue are not new, and today >they can demonstrate without being repressed. The current crisis is indeed >quite worrying, and we can only express our sympathy and solidarity with >the brother peoples of Palestine and Lebanon, who are being struck hard by >the conflict. But I don't think this crisis should put into question our >general approach to relations with the Israelis and the Palestinians. With >all, we advocate restraint and the constant search for a political >solution." > > >"The Next President Will Not Be Accountable to Me, but to the Parliament >and the Mauritanian People" > >Jeune Afrique: "What part will the Mauritanian army play after this >transition period?" > >Vall: "That of a republican army respectful of the institutions."... > >Jeune Afrique: "If the policy of the president to be elected next March >does not suit you and undermines the interests of the country, what will >you do?" > >Vall: "The next president will not be accountable to me but to the >Parliament and the Mauritanian people. With the new constitution, we >provided the system with its own railings, in order to prevent it from >going off track and in order to enable it to correct its own mistakes...." > > > > > > >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >[1] Jeune Afrique (Paris), July 23-29 2006. Jeune Afrique focuses mainly >on North Africa and the French-speaking regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Its >editor is Bechir Ben Yahmad. > >¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ >To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L >Web interface >at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html > >To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: >http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l >To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: >[log in to unmask] >¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ > > > >--------------------------------- >Do you Yahoo!? > Get on board. 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