AZIZ' EW GOVERNMENT "NOT BAD"

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 NOUKKCHOTT 000514

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM MR
SUBJECT: AZIZ' EW GOVERNMENT "NOT BAD"

NOUAKCHOTT 08130514 001.2 OF 003


Classified By: Ambassadrr Mark M. Boulware for Reasons 1.4 (b and d)


1. (C) Summary: President elect Mohamed Ould AbdelAAziz
appointed a new cabinet on August 11. Led by former Prime
Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed Lagha f, the cabinet has 29
positions (24 ministers, deputy ministers, 2 minister
secretary generalsa nd one minister counselor). Aziz set a
positiv note with the highest-ever percentage of non-White
Moors and women in a Mauritanian government -- the
appointments were significant both quantitatively and
qualitatively since key senior positions typically occupied
by male White Moors were given to women and blacks. On
August 12, DCM organized a round table to gather senior
Locally Employed Staff (LES) initial thoughts about the new
government. LES concurred most of the ministers are
individuals close to Aziz who played an important role in his
presidential campaign. In many cases, they saw the
appointments as rewards to key Aziz supporters -- naming the
children (albeit qualified children) of traditional tribal
leaders to key positions. LES divided the nominations in two
categories -- the political appointees and the technocrats.
The political appointees include Foreign Minister Naha Mint
Mouknass, whose father was Foreign Minister under Taya and
whose family has strong relationships with international
figures such as Qadhafi and Ban Ki Moon. Mouknass is the
first Mauritanian woman to serve in such an important
position. The technocrats include Interior Minister Mohamed
Ould Boilil, who knows the Ministry inside out and has been
Wali on numerous occasions. LES agreed the government is
mostly composed of new faces; people who had not been
ministers before, which is consistent with Aziz's promise to
renew the political class. Nevertheless, LES stated this was
only true on the surface as many of those appointed have
close family ties to the old political and military guard.
LES highlighted Aziz did not appoint any Ouled Bisbaa
tribesmen nor members of his rival tribe, the Smasside, who
supported opposition leader Ahmed Ould Daddah. Only one
Idawalli was appointed whereas in the past this tribe was
widely represented in the government. Idawalli supported
Messaoud Ould Boulkheir. For many LES, this is only a
transitional government and they expect to see a new one
appointed in the next two years, particularly as Aziz's party
UPR becomes stronger. End summary.


2. (C) LAGHDAF REAPPOINTED: LES were not surprised at
Aziz' decision to rename Prime Minister Laghdaf, who served
as Prime Minister following the August 6 coup d'etat and
through the post coup period, including during the post-Dakar
Transitional Government of National Unity. Rumor has it that
Laghdaf is a self-effacing personality and lacks political
ambition -- personality traits that are consistent with
Aziz's penchant for running the show and wanting to do
everybody's job. LES agreed they expect to see a strong Aziz
presidency at the expense of the Prime Minister.
Nevertheless, LES pointed out that Laghdaf's influence over
Aziz should not be underestimated as he was one of the few
individuals to have direct access to the General and he has
also been very efficient in coordinating the government's
program during the difficult political and financial
circumstances following the coup.


3. (C) WOMEN AND AFRO-MAURITANIANS REPRESENTED: While the
government is predominantly composed of White Moors (68%),
the percentage of Afro-Mauritanians is high in comparison
with previous governments. The government also includes
women in higher proportions than in the past (17 percent)
and, the first woman to serve as Foreign Minister. Black
Moor representation is limited with only two appointed (6
percent). Although a significant improvement from previous
governments, the rate of Afro-Mauritanians and Black Moors is
still far from representing the population's true composition
with Black Moors in particular being under-represented.


4. (C) REWARDS: Several of those appointed are close Aziz
supporters or were instrumental in his campaign. Those who
are particularly close to Aziz include Minister Secretary
General to the Presidency Sy Adama, Minister Counselor to the
Presidency Messaouda Mint Baham and Minister of Public
Function Coumba Ba.



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