After the announcement of the new government... Mauritania is facing the test of accountability and electricity reform

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Mauritania has opened a new political page by announcing a government headed by Mokhtar Ould Ajay, but the most prominent challenge facing the new government team goes beyond the distribution of ministerial portfolios to implementing the recommendations of an investigation that uncovered deficiencies in the electrical infrastructure and public project management mechanisms.

The changes came after the resignation of the previous government on October 9, then the announcement of the new formation the following evening, which included 29 ministerial portfolios. The most prominent amendments included the departure of the Minister of Defense, Hannah Ould Sidi, and the Minister of Interior, Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed El Amin, along with the Minister of Energy and Oil, Mohamed Ould Khaled, who was succeeded by Mohamed Ould Abdel Fattah.

The departure of the Minister of Energy is of particular importance in light of the report of the Independent Investigation Committee regarding the two fires at the electrical transmission stations in Nouakchott on August 21 and 22 last year. The investigation concluded that there was a direct link between the two fires and new electrical connections that entered service before the outbreak of the accidents, but it was not able to conclusively determine the precise technical mechanism that started the fires.

The report, published through the Mauritanian News Agency on October 8, revealed deficiencies in the stages of project preparation, implementation, and oversight, as well as limited early warning and fire-fighting systems in the affected facilities. The incidents caused widespread disruptions to the electricity supply in the capital, which lasted, according to the neighborhoods, for between three and five days.

The announced measures were not limited to government changes; President Mohamed Ould Sheikh Ghazouani directed the government to implement the investigation’s recommendations, while the Ministry of Energy and Oil announced the start of preparing an action plan that includes strengthening oversight and developing operational efficiency. The recommendations also included suspending payments and receipts in one of the relevant deals, and considering contractual and legal procedures in accordance with the applicable rules.

These developments put the new government before a double test: addressing the imbalances revealed by the investigation, and proving that changing officials will be accompanied by practical reforms and accountability in accordance with evidence and legal procedures.

Observers believe that, so far, ministerial amendments alone are not sufficient to judge the results of this process, as their importance will be determined by the extent of implementing the recommendations, restoring confidence in the management of public facilities, and preventing the recurrence of the electricity crisis.