Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, the president of Mauritania, has secured re-election with over 56% of the vote.

Mauritania's incumbent President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has won re-election with 56.12% of the vote, announced the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) on Monday. This victory secures a second term for the former army chief, leading the vast desert country known for its stability in Africa's turbulent Sahel region, and poised to begin gas production.

Ghazouani avoided a runoff by surpassing the required majority in Saturday's election, significantly ahead of his closest rival, anti-slavery activist Biram Dah Abeid, who garnered 22.10%, according to CENI chief Dah Ould Abdel Jelil.

Abeid contested the results, accusing CENI of government manipulation. Ghazouani's other main opponent, Hamadi Ould Sid' El Moctar of the Islamist Tewassoul party, secured 12.78% of the votes, as reported by CENI.

"We made substantial efforts to ensure the conditions for a successful election," stated the head of the electoral commission, reflecting on the preparation and execution of the electoral process.

Ghazouani came to power in 2019 in Mauritania's first transition between two elected presidents since gaining independence from France in 1960, following a period of coups from 1978 to 2008.

While instability and insurgency have plagued the Sahel region, particularly in neighboring Mali, Mauritania has not faced attacks since 2011, largely credited to Ghazouani's leadership.

The voter turnout for Saturday's election was 55.39%, lower than in 2019. Results were gradually released and published on an official online platform, revealing the final outcome.

Abeid's rejection of the electoral count prompted protests in Nouakchott, where his supporters demonstrated, resulting in disruptions and police intervention. Islamist candidate El Moctar urged vigilance against voting irregularities and cautioned supporters against actions that could incite disorder.

Ghazouani, 67, prioritizes youth development in Mauritania, where nearly three-quarters of the population is under 35. Despite challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and global conflicts affecting his first term, Ghazouani aims for further reforms amid a promising economic outlook, including anticipated growth from gas production starting in late 2024, according to the World Bank.