Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz is a prominent Mauritanian politician and military officer who served as the President of Mauritania from 2009 to 2019. Born on December 20, 1956, in Akjoujt, Mauritania, he began his military career early, enrolling in the Royal Military Academy of Meknes in Morocco, where he received his initial training. He rose steadily through the ranks of the Mauritanian military, becoming known for his strong leadership and loyalty.

Abdel Aziz first came to prominence in 2005 when he played a key role in the coup d'état that overthrew President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya, who had ruled the country for over two decades. This coup was largely peaceful and was welcomed by many Mauritanians who were dissatisfied with Taya's authoritarian rule. After the coup, Abdel Aziz became a key figure in the Military Council for Justice and Democracy, which took control of the country and organized elections in 2007. Although Abdel Aziz did not take power immediately, he remained influential behind the scenes.

In August 2008, Abdel Aziz led another coup, this time ousting President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, who had been elected in 2007. The coup was condemned internationally, but Abdel Aziz justified it by accusing Abdallahi of corruption and poor governance. He resigned from the military in 2009 to run for the presidency as a civilian, a move that was seen by many as an attempt to legitimize his hold on power. He won the presidential election in July 2009 with a significant majority, though the election was marred by accusations of fraud.

As president, Abdel Aziz focused on stabilizing the country, fighting terrorism, and improving the economy. He was credited with boosting Mauritania's security, particularly through his aggressive stance against Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which had been active in the region. His government also invested in infrastructure and sought to diversify the economy, which had been heavily reliant on mining, particularly iron ore.

Abdel Aziz was re-elected in 2014 in an election that was boycotted by much of the opposition, which criticized the electoral process as unfair. During his second term, he continued his focus on security and economic development, though his government faced criticism for human rights abuses, including the suppression of dissent and the imprisonment of political opponents.

In 2019, Abdel Aziz stepped down after completing his second term, as the constitution barred him from seeking a third term. He was succeeded by his close ally Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, who won the presidential election that year. Abdel Aziz's departure from office marked the first time in Mauritania's history that power was transferred peacefully from one elected president to another.

After leaving office, Abdel Aziz's political influence waned, and he faced legal challenges, including accusations of corruption and embezzlement during his time in power. In June 2021, he was placed under house arrest pending an investigation into these allegations. Despite these controversies, Abdel Aziz remains a significant figure in Mauritanian history, particularly for his role in shaping the country's modern political landscape.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Ould_Abdel_Aziz