Mauritania: Former Mauritanian leader welcomes Hollande statement at OIF summit

Nouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) - Former Mauritanian head of state Ely Ould Mohamed Vall has hailed the statement by French President François Hollande at the 15th summit of the International Francophonie Organization (OIF) warning African leaders who want to cling to power.

"We welcome the position of France, strongly reaffirmed during the Francophonie Summit in Dakar, that leaves no opportunity, either moral, legal or political for heads of African states to override the constitutional requirements of their countries," said Mohamed Vall who led Mauritanian during the transition period from August 2005 to April 2007.

He said that the fundamental laws of African countries usually incorporate the "principle of succession in power every two terms and the obligation of compliance is a major advance across the African continent."

Speaking Saturday at the OIF summit in Dakar, Hollande warned African leaders who want to overstay in power to draw a lesson from recent events in Burkina Faso, which forced the departure of President Blaise Compaoré three weeks ago.

Mohamed Vall too urged African leaders to avoid changing constitutional rules for personal convenience.
-0- PANA SAS/BEH/ASA/AR 30Nov2014