Mauritania’s Junta Cannot Convene Parliament, Says House Speaker

Messoud Ould Boulkheir, the speaker of the Mauritanian parliament has described the convening of an extraordinary parliamentary session on Wednesday as “legally null and void”. “Any initiative to hold such a session, which does not bear my signature, is null and void”, Ould Boulkheir said in a statement released Tuesday in Nouakchott.

“No date was decided for holding an extraordinary session” of the Chamber, he underscored, acknowledging however the right for MPs to take such an initiative when in their majority.

Regarding correspondences between the National Assembly and President, Ould Boulkheir observed that they are only signed by the President of the People’s representation.

The prerogatives of the Chamber’s vice-presidents are limited to chairing sessions and representing the National Assembly at official functions.

Besides, Ould Boulkheir mentioned that the agenda proposed for the extraordinary session “was neither examined, nor approved” in line with the rules and regulations in force.

He also reminded the public that the opening and closing of an extraordinary session of the Parliament are part of the exclusive remit of the Head of State.

In this respect, he considers that “Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, democratically elected in March 2007, remains the only legitimate President of Mauritania”.

General Ould Abdel Aziz, the President of the junta Higher State Council, on Monday issued an order convening the Parliament to meet in an extraordinary session on Wednesday.

Source African Press Agency

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