Impunity Watch, Africa
On Monday, May 21, 2007, more than 20 suspected Islamic militants went on trial in Mauritania. The militants include young Mauritanians and religious teachers who received terrorist training from the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) in Algeria. The Algerian GSPC is linked to the al-Qaeda network. Currently, the GSPC is on a U.S. list of terrorist organizations. In June 2005, the GSPC attacked a Mauritanian army garrison and killed 17 soldiers. Moreover, the GSPC claimed responsibility for the triple suicide bombings in Algeria that took place in April, 2007.
This trial marks the first prosecution in Mauritania since civilian president, Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, took office in April, 2007. State officials believe that the new civilian government will give the suspects a fair and speedy trial. “The government is obliged to respect the dictates of the constitution and the laws … this is not just a security issue,” said an unnamed official.
President Abdallahi has indicated that the government of Mauritania will continue to cooperate with the United States to uncover militant training camps in the desert borders. Mauritania will join the Washington’s Trans-Sahara Counter-Terrorism Partnership, and share military cooperation and intelligence with U.S. Special Forces stationed in the region.
For more information, please see:
Reuters – Suspected Islamic militants on trial in Mauritania – 21 May 2007
BBC – Mass terror trial in Mauritania – 21 May 2007
