Mauritania re-admitted into the AU fold

Addis Ababa- Ethiopia (PANA) -- The Islamic Republic of Mauritania has regained its seat in the African Union (AU) fold following its return to constitutional rule, the AU Commission announced here Wednesday.
According to a decision taken by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the AU at its 76th meeting on 10 April 2007, the suspension measure taken against Mauritania on 4 August 2005 has been lifted.
The Council said it was satisfied with the developments that took place in the West African country since the coup d'etat of 3 August 2005 and the smooth conduct of the process of democratic transition, which culminated in the presidential elections of 11 and 25 March 2007.
In a communiqué issued after the session, the PSC has congratulated Mauritanian President-elect Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi.
It urged the new leader to spare no effort to consolidate the gains of the Mauritanian transition, strengthen the rule of law and good governance, deepen the democratic process and take all appropriate measures to reinforce national unity and cohesion.
On the outgoing administration, the PSC has commended the President and members of the Military Council for Justice and Democracy (CMJD), as well as the Prime Minister and members of the government, for having fulfilled the commitments made to the Mauritanian people, the AU and the international community as a whole.
"Council also commends the political class, the civil society and the people of Mauritania for the maturity and sense of responsibility they demonstrated throughout the process for the return to constitutional order and for their contribution to promoting democracy and good governance, as well as the respect for human rights," said the communiqué.
On 3 August 2005 soldiers of the Mauritanian presidential guard in Nouakchott toppled the government of President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya while he was away in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, attending the funeral of King Fahd.
The country's new leaders set up the CMJD that was chaired by Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, who, until then was Director of National Security.
In accordance with the Lome Declaration of July 2000 and Article 30 of the Constitutive Act of the AU, the change of government was unconstitutional.
Hence, the PSC had suspended Mauritania's participation in the activities of the African Union.