Coup welcomed
The week's news at a glance.
Nouakchott, Mauritania
Mauritanians have embraced the results of last week’s military coup, which freed the Muslim country from two decades of dictatorship. Maaouya Ould Sid’Ahmed Taya, who took power in a 1984 coup, had been growing increasingly repressive, jailing political opponents and reportedly engaging in ethnic cleansing of the country’s minority blacks. Most Mauritanians are Arabic-speaking Berbers. Col. Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, head of the 17-man junta that toppled Taya, met immediately with the heads of 30 political parties and pledged to hold elections within two years. Taya was an ally of the U.S. in the war on terror; Vall has not yet indicated whether that policy will change. Taya’s ouster was greeted with dancing in the streets.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Labour's Brexit conundrum
The Explainer Keir Starmer backs 'twin track' strategy – build closer security ties with EU while ruling out single market, customs union and free movement
By The Week UK Published
-
6 scenic white water rafting destinations to get your heart racing
The Week Recommends Have a rip-roaring time on the water
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Dangerous substances in Lunchables are raising concerns over children's health
In the Spotlight High levels of lead and sodium were recently found in the snack packages
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published