Editing Politics of Mauritania (section)

===August 2005 military coup===
In August 2005, a [[2005 Mauritanian coup d'état|military coup]] led by Col. [[Ely Ould Mohamed Vall]] ended [[Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya|Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya's]] 21 years of strong-arm rule.  

On August 3, the Mauritanian military, including members of the presidential guard (BASEP), seized control of key points in the capital of [[Nouakchott]]. They took advantage of President Taya's attendance at the funeral of [[Saudi Arabia|Saudi]] [[Fahd of Saudi Arabia|King Fahd]] to organize the coup, which took place without loss of life. The officers, calling themselves the Military Council for Justice and Democracy, released the following statement:  

:''The national armed forces and security forces have unanimously decided to put a definitive end to the oppressive activities of the defunct authority, which our people have suffered from during the past years.'' [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4741243.stm (BBC)] 

The Military Council later issued another statement naming as president Col. Ould Mohamed Vall, Director of the national police force, the ''[[Sûreté Nationale (Mauritania)|Sûreté Nationale]]'', since 1987, and listing 16 other officers as members.  

Col. Mohamed Vall was once regarded as a firm ally of the now-ousted president Sid'Ahmed Taya, even aiding him in the original coup that brought him to power, and later serving as his security chief. This high-level betrayal of the former president suggests broad discontent within the branches of local government, which is further supported by the lack of bloodshed and the population's support of the rebel militaries.  

Applauded by the Mauritanian people, but cautiously watched by the international community, the coup has since been generally accepted, while the military ''junta'' has promised to organize elections within two years.  

Parliamentary and municipal elections were held on the 19 November 2006 [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/6165662.stm].  

Israel's recognition by the Islamic Republic of Mauritania was maintained by the new regime.