Ex-defense minister declared Mauritania's new president

NOUAKCHOTT

Mauritania's ruling party candidate Mohamed Ould Ghazouani was declared winner of the country's presidential election.

Ould Ghazouani, a former defense minister, won 52.01% of votes cast in Saturday's polls, the electoral commission announced during a press conference early Monday.

Human rights activist Biram Ould Abeid came second with 18.5% of votes, followed by opposition candidate Mohamed Ould Boubaker, who grabbed 17.8%.

The commission said Kane Hamidou Baba, president of the Movement for Rebuilding (MPR), won 8.71% of votes, followed by MP Mohammed Ould Mouloud with 2.44% and economist Mohammed Al-Amin al-Wafi with 0.40%.

The results are yet to be approved by Mauritania's Constitutional Council.

Ould Ghazouani is an ally of incumbent President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who came to power after a coup in 2008.

Six candidates had vied in Saturday's vote, which was seen as the first democratic election in the country since Mauritania gained independence in 1960.

NOUAKCHOTT

Mauritania's ruling party candidate Mohamed Ould Ghazouani was declared winner of the country's presidential election.

Ould Ghazouani, a former defense minister, won 52.01% of votes cast in Saturday's polls, the electoral commission announced during a press conference early Monday.

Human rights activist Biram Ould Abeid came second with 18.5% of votes, followed by opposition candidate Mohamed Ould Boubaker, who grabbed 17.8%.

The results are yet to be approved by Mauritania's Constitutional Council.

Ould Ghazouani is an ally of incumbent President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who came to power after a coup in 2008.

Six candidates had vied in Saturday's vote, which was seen as the first democratic election in the country since Mauritania gained independence in 1960.