Mauritania: Islamist Party Calls for Peaceful Struggle Against Regime

Men run from tear gas during a protest in Nouakchott, Mauritania (Reuters)
Men run from tear gas during a protest in Nouakchott, Mauritania (Reuters)
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Mauritania: Islamist Party Calls for Peaceful Struggle Against Regime

Men run from tear gas during a protest in Nouakchott, Mauritania (Reuters)
Men run from tear gas during a protest in Nouakchott, Mauritania (Reuters)

The Islamist National Rally for Reform and Development (Tawasul) called for pursuing a peaceful struggle to hold the regime responsible for the challenging situation the country is going through.

In statements received by the German Press Agency, the party said that after an emergency meeting of its executive office, it decided to adopt a peaceful program and call for a comprehensive dialogue.

It renewed its call for a comprehensive national dialogue that leads to a transformation that lays solid foundations for resolving the country's core problems.

Tawasul is the largest opposition party in the Mauritanian parliament. It granted the regime of President Mohamed Ould Cheikh el-Ghazouani, who took power in August 2019, a deadline to normalize the political atmosphere.

The party's position comes while growing public discontent over the country’s lack of security, which led to the death of dozens of innocent citizens killed by gangs in Nouakchott.

After series of incidents, the president toured a number of the capital's neighborhoods, during which he visited security units.

Meanwhile, four opposition parties called on the government to put an end to the chaos and ensure the security and safety of citizens, in light of the unprecedented wave of disorder in the capital.

The opposition parties Ettakatol, the Union of Progress Forces, Sawab, and Democratic Forces signed a statement, warning that the current lack of security in the country undermines the prestige of the state and threatens a real catastrophe that may affect the citizens' lives.

They stated that this may constitute a serious threat to civil harmony and social peace, especially in poor and remote neighborhoods, without security or safety.

The parties expressed their strong dissatisfaction with the authorities’ indifference in the face of the seriousness of the drug scourge, noting that an increasing number of children and youth are turning to drugs and criminality.

During the past weeks, several citizens were stabbed to death by organized crime gangs under the influence of drugs.



EU Announces 235 Mn Euro Aid Package for Syria, Neighboring Countries

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
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EU Announces 235 Mn Euro Aid Package for Syria, Neighboring Countries

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)

EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib announced a 235-million-euro aid package for Syria and neighboring countries on Friday during the first visit by a senior EU official since Bashar al-Assad's ouster.

The trip comes two weeks after foreign ministers from France and Germany visited, calling for a peaceful, inclusive transition, amid a flurry of diplomatic activity by countries seeking to engage with war-torn Syria's new authorities.

"I come here to announce a new package of humanitarian aid of 235 million euros ($242 million) in Syria and in neighbouring countries," Lahbib told a press conference in Damascus after meeting Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

"Our funding will contribute to basic needs like shelter, food, clean water, sanitation, health care, education and emergencies among others," she said.

Neighboring countries have taken in millions of Syrian refugees over the years.

"We count on the authorities to ensure unrestricted and safe access for humanitarian actors to all regions of Syria including those in hard-to-reach and conflict-affected areas" in the east, Lahbib added.

"We are at a turning point and the decisions that will be taken in the coming days and months will be crucial," Lahbib said.

According to AFP, her meetings were expected to focus on the future of the sweeping economic sanctions that the 27-nation bloc imposed on Syria during Assad's rule.

The transitional government has been lobbying to have the sanctions lifted, but some European governments have been hesitant, wanting time to see how the new authorities exercise their power.

"We want to see a bright future for Syria and for that, we need to see the rule of law being respected, human rights, women's rights," Lahbib said.

"What I've heard from the mouth of the current authorities (is) really encouraging... Now we need action.

"Let's help Syria but without being naive," she said.