Mauritanians voted today in a presidential election that incumbent Mohamed Ould Ghazouani is widely expected to win with a pledge to boost investment as the country prepares to start producing natural gas.
Ghazouani, a former top soldier, has promised investor-friendly policies to spur a commodities boom in the country of 5 million people, many of whom live in poverty despite its fossil fuel and minerals wealth.
Polls opened at 0700 GMT and voting is expected to end at 1900 GMT, and provisional results are expected from Sunday.
Ghazouani has presided over a period of relative stability since 2019, as Mauritania’s Sahel neighbours, including Mali, struggle with Islamist insurgencies that have led to military coups.
