Mauritania is actively preparing for the presidential election which will take place in June 2024. With this in mind, the government, the majority party El Insaf as well as two historic opposition parties, the Rally of Democratic Forces (RFD) and the Union of the Forces of Progress (UFP), signed a charter of national understanding. The objective of this charter is to establish an inclusive and constructive dialogue in order to define a common roadmap for the development of the country.
This initiative is of capital importance in a political context marked by tensions and divisions. Indeed, during the last legislative elections which took place in May 2023, the RFD and the UFP were not represented in parliament, which increased frustrations and discontent within the opposition.
The signing of this charter of national understanding is therefore a step towards the calming of relations and the consolidation of a constructive dialogue between the different political actors in the country. It covers 18 major themes which will be discussed during future workshops.
Among the topics discussed, we find crucial issues related to national unity, political, economic and electoral governance. The parties involved of course remain committed to their beliefs and positions, but they recognize the need to work together for the good of the country.
This charter of national understanding was developed and discussed for almost a year, and although it was delayed by disagreements between certain opposition parties, it is now adopted with the hope of resolving the differences existing and to reform the Mauritanian political system.
It should be noted that not all opposition parties were involved in the final development of this charter. The Republican Front for Unity and Democracy (FRUD), an opposition coalition present in parliament, deplores not having been informed of the final draft before its adoption. This raises questions about the inclusiveness of the approach undertaken.
However, despite these reservations, the dialogue remains open and the different parties are invited to participate in order to enrich the debate and move the discussions forward.
In conclusion, the signing of this charter of national understanding in Mauritania is a step towards a more peaceful political climate and a common desire to work together for the development of the country. It remains to be seen how this initiative will materialize on the ground and what concrete results will result from it. The Mauritanian people hope that this charter will be a step towards a stronger democracy and a more inclusive society.