Mauritania forms new government following cabinet resignation

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has formed a new government following the resignation of the previous administration. Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay was reappointed to his position after submitting his resignation on October 9, 2026.

The cabinet reshuffle follows the submission of an independent inquiry report regarding electrical fires at two SOMELEC transformation stations in Nouakchott, which caused significant power disruptions in August 2026.

Among the new appointments is Mohamed Ould Abdel Vetah, the former High Commissioner of the Organisation pour la mise en valeur du fleuve Sénégal (OMVS), who has been named Minister of Energy and Petroleum. As the new energy minister, Abdel Vetah is also expected to lead the OMVS Council of Ministers in the coming weeks as Mauritania assumes the rotating presidency of the organization.