The legal case concerning the former President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, has taken a new turn with the opening of the appeal trial on November 13, 2024 in Nouakchott. Sentenced to five years in prison for illicit enrichment and money laundering, Abdel Aziz sees his defense questioning certain articles of the anti-corruption law on which the judges relied to pronounce his conviction.
The defense, represented by Maître Taleb Khyar, argues that certain articles of the law in question are not in accordance with the Constitution. They highlight Article 2 which, according to them, could not apply to a head of state and rely on Article 93 which reserves the power of judgment of the President of the Republic to the High Court of Justice.
Faced with these arguments, the defense requested the suspension of the work of the Court of Appeal, while the Constitutional Council rules on the matter. A request finally accepted by the Court, despite the reservations of the civil party’s lawyers.
This case, which had already seen Ould Abdel Aziz tried at first instance in 2023 alongside other personalities for similar facts, raises important questions about corruption and illicit enrichment at the top of the State. The former president is said to have accumulated an estimated wealth of around 67 million euros at the time of his indictment in March 2021.
This series of trials highlights the importance of the fight against corruption and money laundering in political spheres, recalling that no one should be above the law, even former heads of state. The outcome of this appeal trial will be closely watched, not only in Mauritania, but also by the international community, highlighting the major challenge of justice and integrity in the governance of countries.