Mauritania's Colonels

This book the result of more than a decade of research focuses on the socio-political dynamics and civil-military relations in a little studied country: Mauritania located in the troubled North-western part of Africa. Boubacar NâDiaye brings into light the political evolution of this country which holds lessons for African politics and could affect the future of the West African sub-region. Mauritaniaâs Colonels examines the personalities and policy of five military officers turned heads of state who ruled Mauritania for nearly forty years. After comparing and contrasting the personal traits social origins itineraries and evolution as military officers it critically evaluates the policies they enacted to address four key challenges their country faces. These are namely the difficult cohabitation between the countryâs ethno-cultural communities the illusive democratization and military withdrawal from politics the judicious management of the countryâs abundant natural resources to meet the socioeconomic needs of their people and the prudent conduct of foreign policy given Mauritaniaâs location straddling Arab North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. Showing the impact that each Colonel has had on the evolution of Mauritania this book will be of interest to students and scholars of West Africa African politics civil-military relations and democratization processes. . Language: English