Spain opposes sanctions against Mauritania

Spain on Saturday disapproved of the sanctions imposed on Mauritania in the wake of the 6 August coup that ousted President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi.

According to the official Mauritanian news agency (AMI), Spain’s disapproval was announced by Foreign Minister, Miguel Moratinos.

Mr. Moratinos said Madrid “opposes any sanctions against Mauritania or any suspension of Spain’s cooperation with that country”.

According to AMI, the Spanish diplomat, who was reacting to comments by the “Catelina coalition” during a parliamentary debate, said “Such measures neither contribute to the restoration of democracy nor to the improvement of the people’s living conditions”.

He reiterated his support for dialogue with the new authorities in Nouakchott, which he sees as the “best way to ensure a quick return to a normal constitutional order in the country”.

M. Moratinos’ comments came only two days before the expiration of an ultimatum set by the African Union (AU) for the authorities to reinstate former President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi or face isolation and sanctions.

The military junta, which seized power on 6 August, apparently does not take this ultimatum seriously. Its leader, General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz had responded to that deadline by saying the deposed president was “a former president and there was no returning back”.

Observers say the comments by the Spanish foreign minister and the Accra (Ghana) Declaration warning against any meddling in Mauritania’s internal affairs come as relief for the putschists.

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API/Source.apa