The Results of The Islamic Republic of Mauritania Parliamentary Election held on November 19, 2006

New York, NY- 25 November 2006

The Islamic Republic of Mauritania has been the only country in the world this year to take legal action aimed at securing the representation of women in legislative and municipal councils; with a minimum quota set at a percentage of no less than 20% of the number of candidates.

In the aftermath of the first round of the elections organized by the military on November 19, 2006 as part of the democratization plan designed by the transitional authorities following the 2005 coup d’état, the number of women elected to Parliament exceeded 20% and came close to 40% in municipal councils. This is a rare and unprecedented occurrence in Africa and the Arab and Islamic worlds.

The US Federation for Middle East Peace would like to take the opportunity to commend the democratic process that has recently taken place in Mauritania and further the people that took part in it; without whom the results could not have been possible. As an organization that is perpetually interested in the affairs of this region and the establishment of an environment of peace, the US Federation for Middle East Peace is extremely pleased with the news.

We congratulate the people of Mauritania – especially our Mauritanian sisters – and would like to express our appreciation and admiration for the reform policy introduced by the new government of Mauritania, wishing them success in completing the reform process in the interest of Mauritanian women and men.

The US Federation for Middle East Peace believes that with outcomes like we have seen in Mauritania, a new age is dawning. An age which our work focuses on and which we long for, one that ensures the positive, peaceful future not only within the Middle East but perhaps more importantly, between the Middle East and the rest of the world.

We hope that this example can be followed by many peoples and countries throughout the region, ending the marginalization and exclusion of women; a practice that is detrimental to the interests of peoples and violates principles of justice and equality.

The US Federation for Middle East Peace will continue to support and advocate for progression like we have seen in Mauritania, and will remain vigilant in the issue of encouraging endeavors that not only help in integrating the Middle East in the international community, but that also show the true nature of the great populations of that region.

For more information please contact
Mrs. Sally Kader at (973) 568-8384 info@usfmep.org