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Mauritania: Limited Cabinet Reshuffle, Ould Cheikh Ahmed Becomes FM

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. Reuters file photo
Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. Reuters file photo
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Mauritania: Limited Cabinet Reshuffle, Ould Cheikh Ahmed Becomes FM

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. Reuters file photo
Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. Reuters file photo

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz on Monday carried out a partial cabinet reshuffle.

The most important change was the appointment of diplomat and former UN official Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed as minister of foreign affairs and cooperation in his first government post.

Ould Cheikh was the UN special envoy to Yemen between 2015 and 2018 and the UN deputy special envoy to Libya in 2014 before he was appointed at the end of the same year as coordinator of UN efforts to fight the Ebola in West Africa.

The current president will not run for another term, yet he announced that he would support a figure whose identity has not yet been revealed. The local press has named Ould Cheikh as a possible presidential candidate for the 2019 elections.

However, a team of observers linked the appointment of Ould Cheikh as foreign minister to Mauritania's readiness to host the African summit in July, the first African summit hosted by Nouakchott.

The other changes in the cabinet include the cancellation of “the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, in charge of Maghreb and African Affairs and Mauritanians Abroad” after tasking Ould Cheikh with running its affairs.

Khadijetou Mbarek Fall, for her part, was assigned the trade, industry and tourism portfolio, and former Minister of Trade Naha Mint Hamdi Ould Mouknass was assigned the portfolio of social affairs, childhood and family.

In this context, the portfolio of relations with the parliament was assigned to Minister of Culture and Handicrafts, the official spokesman of the government, Mohamed El-Amine Ould Cheikh, and Mariam Mint Bilal was appointed Minister of Youth and Sports.

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Syrian Factions Appoint Ahmad Al-Sharaa as Transitional Leader

A handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on January 29, 2025, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa giving a speech in Damascus. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
A handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on January 29, 2025, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa giving a speech in Damascus. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
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Syrian Factions Appoint Ahmad Al-Sharaa as Transitional Leader

A handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on January 29, 2025, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa giving a speech in Damascus. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
A handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on January 29, 2025, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa giving a speech in Damascus. (Photo by SANA / AFP)

The new Syrian administration announced on Wednesday the appointment of Ahmad Al-Sharaa as interim president, following the overthrow of former president Bashar Al-Assad more than a month ago.

Al-Sharaa has been entrusted with forming a legislative council to oversee the transition after the dissolution of the People’s Assembly and the suspension of the 2012 Constitution.

According to the official Syrian news agency (SANA), military administration spokesperson Colonel Hassan Abdul Ghani stated that Al-Sharaa would assume the functions of the presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic and represent it in international forums.

He added that Al-Sharaa had been authorized to form a temporary legislative council that would remain in place until a permanent constitution is drafted and enacted, with all exceptional laws suspended.

The announcement did not specify the duration of the transitional period or provide details on the national dialogue conference, which the new administration had previously pledged to organize. However, the administration introduced significant political and security reforms, including the dissolution of all security agencies affiliated with the former Assad regime and the establishment of a new security institution.

The Baath Party and all other National Progressive Front parties were also disbanded, along with their affiliated organizations and committees. A ban was imposed on reestablishing these parties under any new name, and their assets were transferred to the state. Additionally, all military factions, revolutionary political bodies, and civil organizations were merged into state institutions.

Speaking at the Syrian Revolution Victory Conference, Al-Sharaa outlined his priorities, emphasizing the need to fill the power vacuum, maintain civil peace, build state institutions, revive the economy, and restore Syria’s regional and international standing.

He described Damascus as a wounded and humiliated mother, bleeding yet defiant, calling on her people to save their nation. He stressed that while liberation was a crucial step, the true challenge now lay in rebuilding and advancing Syria.

Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani underscored the administration’s commitment to establishing a Syria founded on freedom, justice, and national dignity, where all citizens feel a deep sense of belonging and sacrifice for their homeland.

He emphasized that the new leadership was focused on reassuring the international community and clearly presenting Syria’s vision for the future. Strengthening ties with Arab nations and enhancing regional cooperation were also key priorities, alongside efforts to contribute to peace in a region weighed down by decades of conflict.

Al-Shibani further announced that the administration had successfully negotiated exceptions and suspensions to US and EU sanctions, a move expected to accelerate Syria’s economic recovery and attract international support.