We will peacefully protest against elections

The leader of the Mauritanian opposition party the Union of the Forces of Progress (UFP), Mohamed Ould Mouloud, said in an interview with Arab Today that peaceful measures will be taken to prevent the elections from taking place. Mouloud said that the opposition is creating a plan to foil the municipal and legislative elections set to be held in September or October via peaceful demonstrations. The UFP leader warned that holding elections without national consensus will lead to dangerous security chaos; as well as worsen the country's political crisis. Mouloud also ruled out the possibility of the opposition participating in the elections since the vote has no credibility due to the lack of international observers. The Mauritanian opposition leader denied any dispute between opposition parties, saying the rumours were created by the government with the intent to create strife. Furthermore, Mouloud accused President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of rejecting any form of dialogue with the opposition. "We, the opposition, expressed several times that we are ready to start dialogue, as it is the only way to end the country political crisis, however the other side refuses to sit at the negotiating table," he told Arab Today. Mouloud emphasised the need to form a neutral government to supervise the elections, and ensure a free and fair vote.