International > Mauritania Military Junta Frees Prisoners

Mauritania Military Junta Releases Political Prisoners Jailed by Old Regime

Col. Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, who led the bloodless Aug. 3 coup that ended Maaouya Sid'Ahmed Ould Taya's 21-year authoritarian rule, said in a televised address he was freeing "all Mauritanians found guilty of political crimes or offenses, to allow them to participate in the political life of the country."

"We've taken this decision to permit all Mauritanians to enjoy their liberty and to guarantee our country a future of peace, prosperity and well-being," said a somber-looking Vall, wearing his military uniform.

As Vall ended his short address, thousands of Mauritanians rushed to the main prison in the capital, Nouakchott, to greet the prisoners as they were freed.

First through the gates were 32 military officers and civilians jailed earlier this year on charges of orchestrating failed attempts in 2003 and 2004 to oust Taya, now in exile in the nearby nation of Gambia.

An overjoyed crowd hoisted the newly liberated men who grinned widely onto their shoulders, chanting "Down with the dictator Taya! Vive Vall!" and "Long live democracy and justice!"

Drivers honked their horns in the streets of Nouakchott and state television broadcast pictures of similar demonstrations from other cities in Mauritania. Citizens ripped up photos of Taya in the streets.

Later, two dozen prisoners known as moderate Islamists walked free. They had been imprisoned for political speeches in mosques, which had been banned under Taya.

While the exact number to be released wasn't immediately clear, scores were believed imprisoned on politically founded charges during Taya's strict 21-year reign.

His rule, to which he ascended via his own coup in 1984, sparked widespread discontent. Mauritanians largely welcomed the coup.

Taya was strongly criticized by many Mauritanians for allying his overwhelmingly Muslim nation with the United States in the war on terrorism and opening full diplomatic relations with Israel six years ago, becoming one of only three Arab League nations to do so.

Taya cracked down ruthlessly on opponents, putting them in jail and branding them "terrorists."

A power struggle involving recently discovered offshore oil reserves may have also played a role in the coup. The desert nation is expected to begin pumping crude for the first time in early 2006.

Taya, who seized power in a 1984 coup, was out of the country when Vall staged the coup. Vall has promised to arrange elections within two years of Taya's ouster.

2005-09-03