Mauritania Coup

On August 6, 2008, Renegade troops staged a coup in Mauritania, detaining the African nation's president and prime minister. During a brief announcement on state television, Gen. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was named as the new leader of Mauritania's "state council."The Associated Press: Mauritania coup leaders announce new junta (August 6, 2008) New presidential elections are scheduled for June 6, 2009, 10 months following the coup.AFP: Mauritania to revamp voters' roll ahead of June poll (June 30, 2009)

The African Union put sanctions on the military government in February of 2009, including a ban on travel for members of the junta and a check on their bank accounts.BBC News: Sanctions put on Mauritania junta (February 6, 2009)