Mauritania mourns the loss of its former President Mustafa Ould Salek, who has passed away moments ago in Paris, where he was receiving medical treatment. Sources from the Mauritanian diplomatic corps in France, including Ambassador Mohammed Mahmoud Ould Brahim Khalil and the military attaché, oversee the necessary arrangements to repatriate his remains to his homeland.
Ould Salek was known for his purity and devotion to religion. The staff and management of Mauritanid extend their deepest condolences to the Mauritanian people and the bereaved family, praying for strength and solace in this difficult time.
A Look Back at the Life of the Late Mustafa Ould Salek:
Hailing from the state of Laasaba, Ould Salek began his educational journey in Dakar before choosing to enter the teaching profession. After Mauritania gained independence in 1960, Col. Mustafa Ould Salek was among the first officers to form the nucleus of the Mauritanian army, receiving his military training in France. He went on to lead the army between 1968 and 1969, succeeding Colonel Ould Boune Mokhtar.
In 1970, Ould Salek was appointed Governor of the Adrar region in the north of the country, a position he held until March 1978, when he was appointed Commander of the Army for the second time. He then led a group of officers in a coup against President Ould Daddah on July 10, 1978.
However, his tenure was short-lived as he was overthrown by his colleagues in the Military Committee for National Salvation on June 3, 1979.
The former president endured imprisonment between 1981 and 1984. In 1991, he ran for office against the then-military ruler Ould Taya in Mauritania’s first multi-party presidential election, securing 4.25% of the votes.
- Former Mauritanian President Mustafa Ould Salek passes away in Paris.
- Mourning in Mauritania; diplomatic corps in France overseeing the repatriation.
- Ould Salek is known for piety and devotion to religion.
Key moments in his life:
- Part of the first officers to form Mauritanian army post-independence
- Led the army twice, 1968-69 and 1978
- Governor of Adrar region, 1970-78
- Overthrew President Ould Daddah in the 1978 coup
- Overthrown by Military Committee for National Salvation in 1979
- Imprisoned between 1981 and 1984
- Ran for office in 1991, securing 4.25% of votes