Black Mauritanians in 'racist' census protest

clashes broke out in the city of Kaedi Nouakchott – Mahmoud Obaidi Sherif well-informed Sources told “Arabs today”, that the clashes broke out in the city of Kaedi, south of the capital Nouakchott, after hundreds of black Mauritanians rallied against a census they see as racist Saturday, in protests that turned violent in some cities, and several arrests were made, sources said.
In Kaedi, a city of about 60,000, hundreds took to the streets pillaging a courthouse and stores before setting fire to them.
"Do not touch my nationality", movement claims that the authorities planning large statistics process to exclude large number of black Mauritanians,
While the government has launched a media campaign to deny what it calls false rumours, and to reassure the people that they will all be registered, without restrictions.
Authorities responsible on these statistics say that they adopt clear rules to avoid giving the Mauritanian nationality to the non Mauritanians, especially to people who come from neighboring courtiers such as Sengal.
The security sources in Nouakchott' told "Arabs today," that the Interior Ministry in Nouakchott called some  members of the movement, "Do not touch my nationality" to negotiate with them their demands, in order to persuade them to stop the  demonstrations, which are going take place  today in Nouakchott,  at the same time of the  Iranian President visit to Nouakchott.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Ahmadinejad arrived to Nouakchott on Sunday, as a start of a one-day official visit, the first of its kind.
Mauritania has a multi-ethnic population of around three million made up of white and black Moors as well as various black African tribes.
The large west African nation has a long history of inter-ethnic conflicts.
During a 1989-1990 border war with Senegal, tens of thousands of black Mauritanians, from high ranking civil servants to herdsmen, were accused of being Senegalese, rounded up and deported.
Most have been repatriated over the past three years with the help of the UN refugees agency.