Mauritania: Prosecutor seeks 20 years for former president Aziz

A Mauritanian prosecutor Tuesday requested (Oct. 24) a 20-year prison sentence for former president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. Prosecutor Ahmed Ould Moustapha said "All elements in the hands of the courts proved that a crime has been committed". Aziz, 66, was president of Mauritania, a pivotal country between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, from 2008 to 2019. He listened to the prosecutor's closing speech without flinching. Ten other people, including two former prime ministers as well as former ministers and business men, are on trial with Aziz.