Three people have died in Mauritania during a clash between the police and protesters who were protesting against the re-election of President Mohamed Ould Ghazouzi, authorities said on Tuesday. Several persons were injured, too.
Following the clash, access to mobile internet was shut across the country.
The protest started on Monday after President Ghazouzi was announced the winner of the election with 56% of the votes.
Biram Dah Abeid’s main opponent, who came second with 22% of the votes, rejected the results and accused the government of manipulating the electoral commission. Abeid further called for peaceful demonstrations from his supporters against the results.
Protests also took place in Boghe, Nouadhibou, and Rosso Zoueirat, towns where Abeid wielded large support.
Mauritius Ministry of Interior said the security forces in the southern city of Kaedi had confronted the protesters, and several arrests were made.
The ministry, in a statement, said, “Kaedi last night saw violent acts of vandalism and sabotage of public and private property, scenes of looting and a general climate of fear which led the security forces to confront it and arrest several demonstrators.
“The prosecutor’s office will open an investigation to determine the circumstances of these events and the death of the demonstrators.”
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