Mauritania’s former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz has been handed a 15-year prison sentence by an appeals court, significantly increasing his original five-year term for corruption-related offenses.
The court found Abdel Aziz guilty of abuse of office and illicit enrichment, confirming the seizure of his assets and stripping him of civic rights. The ruling marks a new chapter in the high-profile case against the former leader, who ruled the West African country from 2008 until 2019 after coming to power in a military coup.
Aziz, 68, had appealed his earlier conviction, but the court upheld and expanded the charges, which also implicated several of his former aides and top officials in offenses including influence peddling and money laundering. Investigators estimate he amassed around \$70 million during his time in office.
Appearing in court on Wednesday, Aziz remained expressionless as the verdict was read, according to an AFP journalist. He has been in custody since January 2023 when his trial began.
Political Overtones and a Surprise Claim
Throughout the proceedings, Aziz has maintained that the accusations are politically motivated, aimed at excluding him from public life. In a surprising twist toward the end of his trial, he alleged that his successor, President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, gifted him two suitcases of cash following the 2019 elections.
Ghazouani, who served as Aziz’s chief of staff and defense minister before succeeding him in what was Mauritania’s first peaceful democratic transition, has denied any involvement in the case.
Aziz’s legal battle continues to draw widespread attention in Mauritania, a country that has historically grappled with political instability but has seen increased calls for accountability in recent years.