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Mauritanian PM reappointed amid electricity crisis

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-11 20:49 UTC → 2026-10-15 16:40 UTC · added removed

Mauritanian Prime Minister Moctar Ould Diay submitted his government's resignation to President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani. In his departure statement, Diay expressed gratitude for the President's support and praised his ministers for their efforts in implementing the presidential program, while also assuming responsibility for any “shortcomings or failures in government performance” during his tenure. Following the resignation, reports indicated that Diay maintains a strategic role within the executive branch. President Ghazouani expressed renewed confidence in Diay, citing his ability to manage public finances, administration, and the coordination of presidential programs to translate state orientations into action. On October 9, 2026, President Ghazouani reappointed Diay to form a new 29-member government. This reappointment follows the release of an independent commission's report regarding major electrical infrastructure failures. The report investigated two fires in August at transformer substations operated by the Mauritanian Electricity Company (Somelec) in Nouakchott, identifying which left over one million people without power. The investigation identified serious deficiencies in prevention, electrical protection, work supervision, and emergency management. While no evidence of sabotage was found, the investigation noted overheating in non-compliant connections as the likely cause and highlighted management, while noting irregularities in a $9 million cable replacement contract. The newly announced report specifically implicated former Energy Minister Mohamed Ould Khaled for oversight failures. The new cabinet includes several returning ministers but features replacements for others, including the Minister of Energy and Petroleum. Notably, Mohamed Ould Abdel Vetah, the former High Commissioner of the Organisation pour la mise en valeur du fleuve Sénégal (OMVS), has been appointed as the new Minister of Energy and Petroleum. He While the reshuffle is expected viewed by some as an effort to lead maintain stability and bolster international confidence, the OMVS Council political opposition has criticized the lack of Ministers diversity in the coming weeks as Mauritania assumes the organization's rotating presidency. The new administration cabinet and is tasked with implementing calling for judicial action, suggesting that a reshuffle alone may not satisfy public indignation regarding the commission's recommendations to improve national power grid reliability and prevent future outages.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-15 16:40 UTC Mauritanian PM reappointed amid electricity crisis
  2. 2026-10-11 20:49 UTC Mauritanian PM reappointed amid electricity crisis
  3. 2026-10-11 05:36 UTC Mauritanian PM reappointed amid electricity crisis
  4. 2026-10-10 22:09 UTC Mauritanian Prime Minister resignation and leadership status

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