Former Mauritanian President sentenced to 15 years for corruption

The Nouakchott Court of Appeal delivered a harsh verdict on Wednesday, sentencing ex-President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz to 15 years in prison, a $3 million fine, and stripping him of all civil rights. The ruling marks a dramatic escalation from his initial five-year sentence.

Aziz, who ruled Mauritania from 2008 to 2019, was convicted of money laundering and illicit enrichment. Prosecutors accused him of amassing over $70 million in assets during his presidency.

The former leader has been detained since January 2023, following a fallout with his successor, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, over control of the ruling party. The trial exposed deep fractures within Mauritania’s political elite.

Aziz’s legal team denounced the verdict as politically motivated, while anti-corruption advocates hailed it as a landmark for accountability.

The case underscores ongoing efforts to combat graft in West Africa, where former leaders rarely face such severe penalties.

With appeals likely, the battle over Aziz’s legacy—and Mauritania’s political future—is far from over.