Mohamed Ould Maouloud, head of the opposition delegation
PANA
Nouakchott, Mauritania – The political dialogue in Mauritania between the ruling party and the umbrella Coordination of Democratic Opposition (COD) was deadlocked Wednesday as the two sides failed to reach a consensus on when to hold the legislative and local elections, slated for 23 November and 7 December respectively.
The dialogue is aimed at creating a peaceful political climate ahead of legislative and municipal elections.
Explaining the reasons for the breakdown in negotiations, the head of the opposition delegation, Mohamed Ould Maouloud, said both sides did not agree on a number of issues, including the suggestion by the ruling party that the polls be shifted by 15 days and opposition demand that the ruling party’s unilateral agenda be suspended in a bid to reach a political accord likely to create an enabling environment for the organization of of free, democratic and transparent elections.
Since the talks began Monday, the two parties have also discussed the organization and monitoring of the polls as well as impartiality on the part of the State’s institutions in the electoral process.
COD has been demanding the establishment of a unity government and the conduct of credible polls in the country.
The polls have been postponed several times since November 2011 due to lack of consensus between the stakeholders.
The dialogue kicked off Monday after a four-year break during which the opposition supporters demonstrated a number of times to demand the resignation of President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.
