NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania — A criminal court in Mauritania’s capital has handed down four-year prison sentences to two female opposition legislators who criticized President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani on social media and made allegations of racial discrimination, according to their legal representatives who spoke with The Associated Press on Monday.
The charges against lawmakers Marieme Cheikh Dieng and Ghamou Achour included “attacking the symbols of the state” and “calling for gatherings with a view to undermine public security” following their social media activity last month that targeted the president.
Through multiple social media messages, the two legislators demanded Ghazouani’s ouster and claimed the country’s Arab-controlled judicial system discriminates against Black residents and people descended from enslaved populations, treating them as inferior citizens.
Three defense attorneys — Mohamed Ould Ahmed Miske, Yaghoub Ould Sèïf and Moctar Ould Ely — verified the court’s decision to the AP. Officials from the government have remained silent regarding the convictions.
This West African country has faced ongoing criticism from human rights organizations for violations and the enduring presence of slavery practices. Throughout history, Arab and Amazigh ruling classes held Black populations from the northwestern Sahara region in bondage.
While Mauritania became the final nation globally to ban slavery in 1981, advocacy organizations report the practice persists today. The 2023 Global Slavery Index estimates approximately 149,000 individuals remain in contemporary slavery within this country of fewer than 5 million residents.
Following the court’s ruling, Biram Dah Abeid, who leads the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement coalition, denounced the proceedings during a press briefing. He described the trial as unfair and driven by political motives, praising the convicted women as “heroes” and “sincere fighters against injustice.”
Both legislators belong to this coalition organization, which lacks official party registration but formed an alliance with the legally recognized Sawab party to secure their electoral victories.
