Mauritania president replaces top military brass

NOUAKCHOTT

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz on Tuesday issued a presidential decree making significant changes in the country’s military hierarchy.

In a statement broadcast on state media, the Mauritanian presidency announced the appointment of Lieutenant-General Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mohamed Lemine as new army chief-of-staff; Major-General Isselkou Cheikh al-Wely as the latter’s assistant; Colonel Ahmed Said ben Aouf as naval commander; and Major-General Habouboullah Nahah Ahmedou as inspector-general of the armed forces.

The changes come only one week after Mohamed Ould Cheikh Mohamed al-Ghazouani, a former army chief-of-staff, was appointed defense minister in the country’s new cabinet lineup.

Last week, President Ould Abdel Aziz tasked Mohamed Salem Ould al-Bashir -- who recently succeeded outgoing PM Yahya Ould Hademine -- to draw up a new government.

Formation of the new cabinet comes in the wake of Mauritania’s Sept. 30 parliamentary polls, which were dominated by Ould Abdel Aziz’s ruling Union for the Republic party.

NOUAKCHOTT

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz on Tuesday issued a presidential decree making significant changes in the country’s military hierarchy.

The changes come only one week after Mohamed Ould Cheikh Mohamed al-Ghazouani, a former army chief-of-staff, was appointed defense minister in the country’s new cabinet lineup.

Last week, President Ould Abdel Aziz tasked Mohamed Salem Ould al-Bashir -- who recently succeeded outgoing PM Yahya Ould Hademine -- to draw up a new government.

Formation of the new cabinet comes in the wake of Mauritania’s Sept. 30 parliamentary polls, which were dominated by Ould Abdel Aziz’s ruling Union for the Republic party.