2011–13 Mauritanian protests

The protests in Mauritania from 2011 began in January 2011 as part of the Arab Spring, and held until the year 2012.

The protests were organized by students and human rights activists. The protests are directed against the in Mauritania still practiced slavery, corruption, authoritarian style of government of the incumbent president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and general human rights. The protests focused on the capital Nouakchott.

Course

The protests began with the self-immolation in protest of Yacoub Ould Dahoud, a Mauritanian businessman in front of the presidential palace in the capital Nouakchott on 17 January 2011. In a letter he left behind, said Dahoud that the injustices of the Mauritanian society him to this indeed, had led. He died a few days later on 23 January 2011. Thereupon it came from 20 January to initially peaceful protests in Nouakchott.

The demonstrators attacked the police with Molotov cocktails and stones. The government in Mauritania responded by organizing an emergency meeting. It was decided to reduce the price of bread by 30 % so that the protests stopped. The Prime Minister of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Moulaye Laghdhaf announced after the demonstrations to reform.