On August 6, 2008, troops staged a coup in Mauritania, announcing that Gen. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz would lead the African nation's "state council." Aziz was the head of Mauirtania's presidential guard, and helped plan to coup after being terminated. During the coup, army officers detained both Mauritania's president and prime minister.The Associated Press: Mauritania coup leaders announce new junta (August 6, 2008)
The African Union announced sanctions on the military junta controlling Mauritania on February 6, 2009, including a ban on travel and a hold on bank accounts for all coup members. New democratic elections have been scheduled for June 6, 2009, about 10 months following the coup.BBC News: Sanctions put on Mauritania junta (February 6, 2009)
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Fast Facts
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Born 1956 in French Mauritania
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Joined Armed Forces in 1977
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August 6, 2008
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Gen. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz announced as the new leader of Mauritania's "state council"The Associated Press: Mauritania coup leaders announce new junta (August 6, 2008)
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Mauritanian President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi and Prime Minister Yahya Ould Ahmed Waqef were detained during the coupThe Associated Press: Mauritania coup leaders announce new junta (August 6, 2008)
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