Three people died after being arrested during riots in southern Mauritania, following President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani’s election victory.
The unrest in Kaedi saw looting and vandalism, with the interior ministry confirming arrests of rioters. The circumstances of the deaths remain unclear.
Two rioters died in custody and a third later in hospital, according to the interior ministry.
They did not provide further details. Limited detainment options existed due to the large crowd and late hour, the ministry noted.
Two security officers were seriously injured, with one in intensive care.
The ministry promised a “transparent and thorough investigation” into the deaths but did not specify any political motives behind the unrest.
The violence erupted after Ghazouani’s victory in the presidential poll, which saw his win confirmed by provisional results.
Dozens were arrested in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, with many reported as “foreigners.”
The capital was calm on Tuesday, businesses reopened, but mobile internet access was cut off since Monday night, a common tactic against protests.
Biram Dah Abeid, the second-place candidate, alleged “massive fraud” and threatened protests.
He awaits his team’s results before deciding on further actions.
The aftermath of the 2019 election saw clashes and arrests, including nationals of neighboring countries, amid a 10-day internet blackout.
Ghazouani’s re-election gives him a second term, marking stability in the volatile Sahel region.
