Mauritania’s former president, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, appeared in court on Wednesday as he began his appeal against a prison sentence for charges of corruption and abuse of power.
Aziz, who governed Mauritania from 2008 to 2019, was sentenced in December 2023 to five years in prison for embezzlement and misuse of authority. His legal team promptly filed an appeal following the verdict.
The former president, who has been held in custody since his trial began in January 2023, looked in good health as he faced a high-security courtroom.
Abdel Aziz stands trial alongside several former high-ranking officials and close associates, including two ex-prime ministers, all accused of offences such as illicit enrichment, abuse of office, influence peddling, and money laundering.
Supporters gathered outside the courthouse but were prevented from approaching by security forces.
At the time of his indictment in March 2021, investigators reported that Aziz had amassed assets valued at $70 million during his time in office.
Now 66, Abdel Aziz was barred from participating in the June presidential election, which was won by his former ally and current president, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani.
Mauritania, a country of 4.5 million positioned between North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, experienced multiple coups between 1978 and 2008. However, the 2019 election marked the country’s first democratic transition between two elected presidents.
