Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi was the 8th President of Mauritania, serving from April 2007 to August 2008. Born on December 20, 1938, in the village of Aleg, Mauritania, Abdallahi came from a prominent religious family. He studied mathematics and economics in Senegal and France, which prepared him for a career in civil service and politics.

Abdallahi began his career in public administration, holding several ministerial positions during the regime of Moktar Ould Daddah, Mauritania’s first president after independence. Following a military coup in 1978 that deposed Ould Daddah, Abdallahi left politics and pursued a career with international institutions, including the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. His work in finance and development bolstered his reputation as an economist.

In 2007, Abdallahi was elected president in Mauritania’s first fully democratic election after years of military rule. His presidency initially represented hope for political stability and economic reform. However, his administration faced challenges from various political factions, including opposition from the military. One of Abdallahi's key policy moves was an attempt to maintain civilian control over the military, which included dismissing several high-ranking officers. This decision led to tensions with the military.

In August 2008, Abdallahi was ousted in a military coup led by General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, marking the end of his brief presidency. Abdallahi was placed under house arrest after the coup, though he was eventually released. Despite international condemnation of the coup, the military leadership remained in power.

After his release, Abdallahi retired from active politics. He remained a respected figure in Mauritania for his efforts to promote democracy. Abdallahi passed away on November 22, 2020, leaving behind a legacy as a leader who attempted to balance democratic ideals with the complex political landscape of Mauritania.

REFERENCE:

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