Mauritania’s former president, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, has lost his final appeal against a 15-year prison sentence for corruption, marking a dramatic end to the political career of a man who once held absolute power in the West African nation. The verdict, delivered by the country’s Supreme Court this week, closes a long and turbulent chapter in Mauritania’s post-independence politics.
The ruling upholds earlier convictions that found the former head of state guilty of illicit enrichment and abuse of office during his decade-long rule. Abdel Aziz, who governed from 2009 to 2019 after seizing power in a 2008 military coup, now faces the full weight of a prison sentence that not only strips him of his liberty but also cements his downfall as one of Mauritania’s most controversial figures.
From Coup Leader to Convicted Former President
Abdel Aziz first rose to prominence as the general who ousted President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi in a bloodless coup in 2008. Initially, his takeover was presented as a corrective measure to restore stability after political turmoil. One year later, he resigned from the army, contested elections, and officially assumed the presidency. His rise was greeted by many Mauritanians who saw him as a strongman capable of bringing order and economic progress to the country.
Under his leadership, Mauritania maintained relative stability in a region plagued by terrorism and political unrest. He forged close security ties with Western allies, particularly France and the United States, positioning Mauritania as a strategic partner in the Sahel’s counterterrorism efforts.
However, by the end of his second term, that image of stability had given way to growing discontent. Allegations of corruption, cronyism, and human rights abuses began to overshadow his achievements, sparking domestic and international criticism.
A Trial That Shook Mauritania’s Political Establishment
The corruption probe into Abdel Aziz’s administration began shortly after he left office in 2019. His successor and former ally, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, initiated a broad anti-corruption campaign that led to the former leader’s indictment in 2021. The charges included illicit enrichment, abuse of functions, influence-peddling, and money laundering — accusations that implicated not just Abdel Aziz, but also 10 other senior officials, including two former prime ministers and several cabinet members.
In 2023, a Mauritanian court found Abdel Aziz guilty of accumulating wealth estimated at $70 million, which investigators said he obtained illegally while in office. He was sentenced to five years in prison, marking the first conviction of a Mauritanian head of state in the country’s history.
His legal team denounced the trial as politically motivated, arguing that the proceedings violated due process. Nevertheless, an appeal in May 2025 not only upheld the conviction but extended his prison sentence to 15 years, citing new evidence and the gravity of the offenses.
The former president continued to deny all charges, claiming that his wealth was legitimately earned through business ventures and property acquisitions. He repeatedly described the legal process as a vendetta orchestrated by his successor to silence him politically.
Supreme Court Rejects Final Appeal
The Supreme Court’s decision to reject Abdel Aziz’s final appeal now makes his sentence definitive and unappealable. Legal analysts say the verdict represents a landmark moment for Mauritania’s justice system, signaling a new era of judicial independence and accountability.
“This is an important precedent,” said Nouakchott-based legal analyst Abdoul Ba. “For the first time, a former president has been tried, convicted, and sentenced under the rule of law. It shows that no one, not even a former head of state, is above justice.”
Following the ruling, government spokespersons emphasized that the case was conducted transparently, under full judicial supervision, and without political interference. However, some opposition figures and human rights activists continue to question the fairness of the trial, warning that it could deepen political divisions in the country.
Loss of Power, Wealth, and Civic Rights
As part of the judgment, Abdel Aziz has been stripped of his civic rights and had his assets confiscated, including luxury properties, vehicles, and business shares. His family’s financial dealings are also under ongoing scrutiny, and several of his close associates have faced separate investigations.
For many Mauritanians, the downfall of the once-powerful president serves as a symbolic reckoning after years of alleged corruption. “This verdict shows that the days of impunity are ending,” said one civil society activist in Nouakchott. “It sends a message that the law applies to everyone, regardless of their status.”
Political and Regional Implications
Abdel Aziz’s conviction reverberates beyond Mauritania’s borders, as several West African nations grapple with questions of governance and military influence in politics. His case stands as one of the few instances in the region where a former leader has been successfully prosecuted and jailed following a military-led rise to power.
Analysts note that the conviction could enhance President Ghazouani’s image internationally as a reform-minded leader committed to fighting corruption. Yet at home, the verdict also risks polarizing public opinion. Some of Abdel Aziz’s supporters have accused the government of “selective justice,” claiming that the anti-corruption campaign disproportionately targets political rivals.
The End of an Era
Once considered one of Mauritania’s most influential power brokers, Abdel Aziz’s downfall marks a sharp reversal of fortune. During his decade in power, he positioned himself as both a defender of national stability and a central figure in the regional fight against terrorism. Today, those achievements are overshadowed by his conviction for corruption and the loss of his once-formidable political network.
The former president, now in his late sixties, remains imprisoned in Nouakchott, where he continues to maintain his innocence. His legal team has announced plans to seek international review through human rights bodies, though experts say such efforts are unlikely to alter the domestic ruling.
For many observers, Abdel Aziz’s journey — from a military strongman to a convicted inmate — encapsulates Mauritania’s ongoing struggle between power and accountability, and between the old guard of military politics and a new push for democratic governance.
As the nation reflects on his legacy, Mauritania’s political landscape is entering a new phase — one defined by the promise of transparency, the challenge of reform, and the enduring question of how deeply justice can penetrate the corridors of power.
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