BIO INFO FOR MAURITANIA'S NEW GOVERNMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 NOUAKCHOTT 000538

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM MR PINR
SUBJECT: BIO INFO FOR MAURITANIA'S NEW GOVERNMENT

REF: A. NOUAKCHOTT 514

B. NOUAKCHOTT 515

Classified By: Ambassador Mark M. Boulware for reasons 1.4 (b and d)


1. (SBU) On August 11, President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz
named his cabinet, composed of 29 positions (24 ministers, 3
deputy ministers, 2 minister secretary generals and one
minister counselor) (Ref A).


2. (SBU) Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf:
Laghdaf was first appointed prime minister following Mohamed
Ould Abdel Aziz's August 6, 2008 coup d'etat against
President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi. He served as prime
minister through the entire post-coup period, including
during the Transitional Government of National Unity stemming
from the Dakar Accord. Laghdaf was born in 1957 in the
eastern city of Nema (Hodh Echargui region) and belongs to
the Laghlal tribe -- an influential marabout (scholarly)
tribe. He speaks French, Arabic and some English and has
expressed favorable views towards the US. In 1984, he
obtained a Mineral and Chemical Engineering degree from
Mohamedia Engineering School in Morocco, followed by a PhD in
Applied Sciences from Brussels Free University in 1990. He
also holds a Master's degree in Management from the High
Commercial Studies School of Saint Louis, Belgium and a High
Studies Diploma in Management from Brussels Free University.
From 2000-2006 he worked as coordinator of the Belgian
cooperation's Integrated Hodh Echarghi Development Project.
In 2006, he was appointed Ambassador to Brussels and the
European Union. Laghdaf is married with four children.


3. (SBU) Minister of Justice Baha Ould Ameida: Ameida was
born in 1963 in the southeastern city of Selibaby (Guidimaka
region). He earned a PhD in Law and a diploma in
Constitutional Law from Tunis University in 1989. In 1998,
he obtained a degree form the Center of Financial, Economic
and Banking research. He also holds a graduate degree in
Management from the University of Paris and a diploma in
Banking and Monetary Law from the International Monetary
Fund. Despite his legal education, most of Ameida's work
experience is in banking. Ameida has held various positions
at the Mauritanian Central Bank including, most recently,
Director of Administrative Services and President of the
Markets Commission.


4. (C) Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Naha
Mint Mouknass: Mouknass is the first woman to head such an
important ministry (Ref B). President of the Union pour la
Democratie et le Progres (UDP) political party since 2000,
Mouknass was born in 1969 in Nouakchott. She speaks
Hassaniya and French and belongs to the warrior tribe El Gor
from the Nouadhibou-Dakhlet region. Mouknass' father, Hamdi
Ould Mouknass, was Foreign Minister under Moktar Ould Daddah
and is considered the father of Mauritanian diplomacy. Mint
Mouknass graduated from the Superior Institute of Management
in Paris in 1995 and returned to Nouakchott to work for the
Coca Cola company. She was advisor to Ould Taya from
2000-2001 and was appointed Minister Advisor to the
Presidency from 2001 to 2005. Mouknass has important foreign
connections and Mauritanans say she is responsible for
encouraging Aziz' closeness to Qadhafi in tthe wake of the
August , 2008 coup d'etat. Rumour has it that Mouknass,
single woman, has been in relationships with Qadafi, Ould
Taya, and Aziz's cousin and Rosso senaor Mohcen Ould Hadj.


5. (SBU) Minister of Natonal Defense Hamadi Ould BBaba Ould
Hamadi: Hamai, born in 1948 in Moudgeria (the central
Tagantregion) and with family ties in the Eastern region f
Hodh Echargui, belongs o theppeettggoous Kon*a tribe and
graduated in1958 f2oo ooakchott's ational School of
Administration with a civil engineering degree. Past
positions include Chief of Mission at the General Direction
of Promotion of Private Investments. He has no previous
military experience. Hamadi is the cousin of president of
the Republican Party fo Democracy and Renewal Ghrini Ould
Mohamed Vall,who supported Aziz since the coup. Many see
Hamdi's appointment as an indirect reward of Mohamed all's
efforts on behalf of Aziz.


NOUAKCHOTT 00000538 002 OF 005



6. (SBU) Minister of the Interior and Decentralization
Mohamed Ould Boilil: Boilil, originally a member of Ahmed
Ould Daddah's opposition party RFD, defected from his party
to support Aziz. A haratine from the Trarza region, Boilil
has vast experience in the Ministry of the Interior, where he
worked as arrondissement head, prefect and wali of several
cities and wilayas.


7. (SBU) Minister of Economic Affairs and Development Sidi
Ould Tah: Tah was born in 1964 in Mederdra (southwestern
Trarza region on the Senegal river valley) and belongs to the
Idabhoum (Ahel Al-Aghel) tribe - a prestigious marabout tribe
known for its religious knowledge. He holds a doctorate in
Economics from the University of Nice and participated in
several trainings in Harvard University and the London School
of Business. He previously worked for the Mauritanian Bank
for Commerce and Development and as Food Security
Commissioner. He also worked in various capacities for
several international institutions such as the Arab Agency
for Investment and Agricultural Development in Khartoum and
the Islamic Group for Development in Jeddah. In 2006, he was
appointed Chief of Mission to the Presidency. He served as
Minister of Economy and Finance following the August 6, 2008
coup d'etat and during the Transitional Government of
National Unity.


8. (SBU) Finance Minister Ousmane Kane: Kane, a Puular,
was born in 1955 in Tekane (Trarza region). He speaks
French. He holds an Engineering degree from the Ecole
Nationale Superieure de Saint Etinne in France. Before his
ministerial appointment, he served as Administrator and
General Manager of SNIM from 2008-2009, and Governor of the
Central Bank to the International Monetary Fund from
2006-2008. He also worked as Chief of Mission to the
Presidency in 2006 and played several roles in the African
Bank of Development as vice president and department
director. He worked in the Arab Mine Society in Inchiri from
1985-1990 and for the SNIM from 1982-1985.


9. (SBU) Minister of Basic Education Ahmedou Ould Idey Ould
Mohamed Radhi: Born in 1964 in Tintane (northern Adrar
region),Radhi belongs to the Ahel Sidi Mahmoud tribe, which
is extremely influential in the Hodh and Assaba regions. He
graduated in Economics from Nouakchott University in 1989.
Previously, he worked as Deputy General Inspector of State
(2008-2009). He also worked as director for cell phone
company Mauritel Mobile.


10. (SBU) Minister of Secondary and Higher Education Ahmed
Ould Bahya: Born in 1962 in the northern city of Atar (Adrar
region),Bahya is married with four children and belongs to
the Ouled Ghailan tribe. He has a PhD in Mathematics from
Mohamed V University in Morocco and graduated with a
doctorate degree from Rabat University in 1989. He
previously taught at the University of Nouakchott and his
involvement in politics is very limited.


11. (SBU) Minister of Islamic Affairs and Original Teaching
Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine (Neini): Born in 1969 in Barkeol
(Assaba region),Neini holds a doctorate in Islamic
Jurisprudence and a Diploma of High Islamic Studies. He
belongs to the Ahel Ahmed Ould Mohamed salem (Medlech) tribe.
He served as member of Independent Electoral Commission in
2009 and in 2007 was Advisor to the presidency. In 2002, he
also served as president of the High Islamic Council.


12. (SBU) Minister of Public Service Coumba Ba: Ba, the
only Afro-Mauritanian woman in the cabinet, was born in 1970
in Mounguel (southern Gorgol region). She is a Puular. A
staunch Aziz supporter who played a crucial role in running
Aziz's electoral campaign, Ba is also a member of the UPR
party. She has a dentistry degree from the Ivory Coast and
was Chief of Mission to the Presidency from 2007-2009 and
advisor from 2005-2007. She is known for having traveled
around Africa to justify the coup d'etat with various heads
of state.


13. (SBU) Minister of Employment and Professional Training
Mohamed Ould Khouna: Khouna was born in 1965 in Nouakchott
and is a member of the Lemtouna tribe. He holds a doctorate

NOUAKCHOTT 00000538 003 OF 005


in Electronics from the Lyon Central School and a graduate
degree from the Polytechnic Institute of Grenoble.
Previously, he served as Secretary of State in charge of
Professional Training from 2008-2009. He also worked for
SNIM in various capacities, including chief of professional
training and advisor to the director of human resources.


14. (SBU) Minister of Health Cheikh El Moctar Ould Horma
Ould Babana. Babana is the only member of the Idawalli tribe
represented in the government. He is from the Trarza but his
tribe hails from Tidjikja. Babana only recently got involved
in politics and lived most of his life in Morocco, where he
attended medical school and worked as a doctor.


15. (SBU) Minister of Energy and Oil Ahmed Ould Molaye
Ahmed: Born in Chinguetti (Northern region of Adrar) in
1966, Ahmed belongs to the Chorfa tribe. He holds a graduate
degree in Public Finance and in Public Law from the Mohamed V
University. Previously, he was director of the National
Insurance Fund Against Disease from 2008-2009. He also
served as president of the Central Markets Commission and
advisor to the Prime Minister from 2007-2008.

16. (SBU) Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy
Ghdafna Ould Eyih: Born in the Adrar region, little is know
about this new minister other than he worked previously in
the National Roads Administration.

17. (SBU) Minister of Commerce, Handicrafts and Tourism
Bamba Ould Daramane: Born in Rosso in 1970, Daramane is a
Haratine belonging to the Oulad Benyoug tribe. Daramane
holds a Law degree from Nouakchott University and previously
worked as Department Head at the Mauritanian National Bank
from 2001-2004. He was also research director at Nouakchott
University's Faculty of Legal and Economic Sciences.
Daramane served as minister during the Transitional
Government of National Unity and is a staunch Aziz supporter.


18. (SBU) Minister of Urbanization and Territorial
Management Ismael Bodde Cheikh Sidiya: Born in the western
region of Boutilimit in 1961, Sidiya belongs to the Oulad
Biyeri tribe. He holds an Engineering degree from the
prestigious Paris Central School and has 23 years experience
in the field of engineering. He also graduated in
Mathematics from Paul Sabatier University of Toulouse. He
has held various positions including director of the SNIM
Research Bureau.


19. (SBU) Minister of Rural Development Brahim Ould
M'Bareck Ould Mohamed El Moctar: Born in Tidjikja in 1962,
he is a member of the Idawich tribe. He holds an M.A. in
Economics and Management from Casablanca University in
Morocco. He worked as SNIM representative in Paris from
January 2007-2009 and Director of Human Resources in 2007.
He has also worked for SNIM in various other capacities
including Director of Procurement and Logistics, Marketing
Manager, Chief of Analytical accounts and Assistant to Chief
of Service Studies in the Management Control Section.


20. (SBU) Minister of Equipment and Transport Camara Moussa
Seydi Boubou: Boubou was born in Dakar in 1953. He is a
Soninke from the Guidimakha region and holds a Ph.D in
Business Law from the University of Lille, France. Previous
positions include Legal Advisor at the National Electricity
Company (SOMELEC),and Director of the National Electricity
Company Trade School.


21. (SBU) Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation Mohamed
Lemine Ould Aboye: Aboye hails from the Hodh Echargui region
and belongs to the Ahel Cheikh Mohamed Vadel tribe. He holds
a degree in Hydrogeochemistry and the Environment as well as
a graduate degree in Maritime Geology from the National
Superior School in Rabat. He also holds an M.A. in Biology
and a B.A. in Natural Science. In the past, he worked as
Secretary of State under the Prime Minister for the
Environment from 2006-2007, and Advisor to the Minister of
Rural Development and the Environment.


22. (SBU) Minister of Industry and Mines Mohamed Abdallahi
Ould Oudaa was born in Aleg in 1967 and belongs to the Idedba
tribe. Oudaa holds an Engineering degree in Electromagnetism
from Rabat University. He was minister during the

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Transitional Government of National Unity. Close to Sidi
Ould Cheikh Abdallahi's family, he used his influence to
lobby on behalf of Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. He previously
served as Director General of GDEE and Technical Manager in
Oil Mepp company. He also worked for SNIM.


23. (SBU) Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Cisse Mint
Chikh Ould Boide: Boide hails from Nouakchott and belongs to
the warrior Oulad Daoud tribe. She has a graduate degree in
Strategic Management from the Superior School of Commerce in
Lille and also holds an M.A. in Administration and Management
of Tourism and Hotels from Tangiers. Boide worked as
Director of Tourism from 2007-2009 and Deputy Director of
Tourism from 2002-2007. Her father, colonel Cheikh Ould
Boidda, was former president of the Special Court of Justice.



24. (SBU) Minister of Communications and Relations with
Parliament Mohamed Abdallahi Ould Boukhary: Born in Akjoujt
in 1967, Boukhary belongs to the Ahel Barikalla tribe. He
holds a B.A. in Agronomical Sciences from Ain Chams
University in Egypt as well as a graduate degree in
Agricultural Hydraulics from the same institution. He worked
for Chinguittel and has some experience working at the
Central Bank.


25. (SBU) Minister of Family, Childhood and Social Affairs
Moulaty Mint El Moctar: Born in 1972 in the Hodh Echarghi
region, Moctar belongs to Prime Minister Waghef's Laghlal
tribe. She graduated from the Nouakchott National Superior
School, the University of Paris, and the Senegalese Cheikh
Anta Diop University as a French teacher. She has an M.A. in
languages. In the past, she worked as Department Director at
the Ministry of Education.


26. (SBU) Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister in Charge
of the Environment Idrissa Diarra: Born in 1961 in Wampou in
the southeaster region of Guidimakha, Diarra is a Soninke.
He holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the
University of Algiers and a degree in animal epidemiology
from Maison Alfort in France. He worked as director general
of the National School of Training and Agriculture in Kaedi
from 2008-2009 and as Director General of the National Center
for Breeding and Veterinary Research from 2005-2008.


27. (SBU) Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister in Charge
of Modernization of the Administration and Information
Technologies Wagne Abdoullaye Idrissa: Idrissa, a Puular,
was born in 1961 in Thialgou, Boghe. A speaker of English,
French, Arabic and Russian, he holds an Agro-Economic
Engineering degree from Odessa Institute of Agriculture in
the Soviet Union. He has worked as consultant and
agro-economic expert specialized in the Assaba region for
Oxfam, and the United Nations Program for Development. He is
also a published author.


28. (SBU) Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister in Charge
of Arab Maghreb Affairs Ikebrou Ould Mohamed: Previously an
advisor in this department, Mohamed hails from the eastern
Assaba region. He has excellent relations with General
Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazwani.


29. (SBU) Secretary General of the Government Ba Ousmane:
Ousmane is a Puular from the Ghidimakha region. He holds
graduate degrees in Sociology and Philosophy from the
University of Bordeaux as well as in Management for
Development. He also has an M.A. and a B.A. in Social
Science from Nouakchott University. He is an expert in the
field of communications and the development of the Assaba
region. He has also worked as Secretary General of the
Ministry of Commerce and Industry.


30. (SBU) Food Security Commissioner Mohamed Ould
Mohamedou: Born in 1970 in the Eastern region of Tintine,
Mohamedou is a Machdhouf tribe member. He holds a doctorate
in Economics. Mohamedou worked as Deputy Director of
Humanitarian Action for the Food Security Commission and
teached at the University of Algiers and the University of
Nouakchott. He held the Food Security Commissioner position
during Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi's presidency but was

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dismissed early on in what was understood to be a personality
clash with the then-powerful Minister of Agriculture.


31. (SBU) Commissioner in Charge of Promoting Investment
Maty Mint Hamady: Hamady was born in 1967 in Aioun in the
eastern region of Hodh El Gharbi. She holds a degree in
Economics form the University of Nouakchott. Hamady served
as Deputy Director of SONIMEX and Director of competition,
consumer protection and fraud in the Ministry of Commerce and
Industry. She was also a member of the Mauritanian Central
Bank and an auditor at the Accounts Court.


32. (SBU) Minister Secretary General to the Presidency Sy
Adama: Adama, a Puular, was born in 1945 in M'Bout in the
Gorgol region. He holds a B.A. and M.A. from Oregon State
University in Agricultural Sciences. He has worked as
Director of the National Center for Agriculture Research and
Development, Director of the National School for Agriculture
Teaching, and as a professor in Agriculture.


33. (SBU) Minister Advisor to the Presidency Messaouda Mint
Baham: Baham was born in Mederdra in 1964. Like Prime
Minister Laghdaf, she is a member of the Laghlal tribe. She
is also a member of Ould Daddah's RFD party. Baham holds an
M.A. in Finance from Alouro University and graduate degrees
in Agriculture and Environment from the University of
Barcelona and the Agricultural University of Jamblore in
Belgium. She holds a B.A in Natural Sciences from the
Teachers School in Nouakchott. She has worked as Secretary
General of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
from 2005-2007.
BOULWARE