Mohamed Ould Ghazouani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
General
Mohamed Ould Ghazouani
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محمد ولد الغزواني
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Ghazouani in 2022
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| 9th President of Mauritania | |
| Assumed office 1 August 2019 |
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| Prime Minister | Mohamed Salem Ould Béchir Ismail Ould Bedde Ould Cheikh Sidiya Mohamed Ould Bilal Mokhtar Ould Djay |
| Preceded by | Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz |
| 22nd Chairperson of the African Union | |
| Assumed office 17 February 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Azali Assoumani |
| Minister of Defense | |
| In office October 2018 – 15 March 2019 |
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| President | Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz |
| Prime Minister | Mohamed Salem Ould Béchir |
| Preceded by | Jallow Mamadou Bhatia |
| Succeeded by | Yahya Ould Hademine |
| Chief of Army Staff | |
| In office 13 May 2008 – 6 November 2018 |
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| President | Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz |
| Preceded by | Felix Negri |
| Succeeded by | Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mohamed Lemine |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 December 1956 Boumdeid, Assaba Region, Colonial Mauritania |
| Political party | Equity Party (since 2022) |
| Other political affiliations |
Union for the Republic (until 2022) |
| Spouse | Mariem Mint Dah |
| Children | 6 |
| Residence | Presidential Palace, Nouakchott |
| Education | Meknes Royal Military Academy |
| Occupation |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Mauritania |
| Branch/service | Mauritanian Army |
| Years of service | 1970s–2018 |
| Rank |  General |
| Commands | General Director of National Security Chief of National Army Staff |
Mohamed Ould Cheikh Mohamed Ahmed Ould Ghazouani (Arabic: محمد ولد الشيخ محمد أحمد ولد الغزواني), born on December 4, 1956, is a Mauritanian politician and a retired army general. He is known as Ghazouani or Ould Ghazouani. Since 2019, he has been the 9th President of Mauritania. In February 2024, he also became the chairperson of the African Union.
Before becoming president, Ghazouani was a general-director of National Security. He also served as the chief of staff for the Armed Forces of Mauritania from 2008 to 2018. From October 2018 to March 2019, he was Mauritania's defense minister. He was a close friend of the previous president, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.
Ghazouani won the presidential election on June 22, 2019. His victory was seen as the first peaceful change of power in Mauritania since the country became independent. As president, he has helped Mauritania stay stable. He has worked to improve social security and fight against corruption. He has also played a key role in stopping violence from extremist groups. He has helped make the military stronger and worked with different communities.
Contents
Who is Mohamed Ould Ghazouani?
Mohamed Ould Ghazouani is the current president of Mauritania. He is a respected leader who has worked hard for his country. He has a long history in the military and in government. His leadership has brought a time of peace and progress to Mauritania.
Early Life and Family
Mohamed Ould Ghazouani was born in Boumdeid, Assaba region, on December 4, 1956. He comes from a well-known family in Mauritania. His family has spiritual leaders. Ghazouani himself has memorized the entire Quran, which is a holy book in Islam.
He is married to Mariam Bint Mohamed Fadel Ould Dah, who is a doctor. They have five children together. Their oldest son is Mohamed Lemine Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani.
Becoming a Leader: His Military Path
Ghazouani joined the Mauritanian Army in the late 1970s. He trained to become an officer at the Meknes Royal Military Academy in Morocco. He earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in military studies. He also completed many special training courses for war.
From 1987 to 1991, Ghazouani worked as an aide-de-camp for President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya. This means he was a personal assistant to the president.
Ghazouani was a close partner of former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. He was involved in the changes of leadership in 2005 and 2008.
From Soldier to Defense Minister
In October 2018, President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz chose Ghazouani to be Mauritania's Defense Minister. This is a very important job, as it means he was in charge of the country's military.
On March 1, 2019, Ghazouani announced that he wanted to become president. He resigned from his role as defense minister on March 15 to focus on his campaign.
Leading Mauritania: His Presidency
On June 22, 2019, Ghazouani won the presidential election. He was chosen by the people of Mauritania. On August 1, 2019, he officially became the 9th President of Mauritania.
After he became president, his relationship with the former president, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, changed. This was because of questions about the former president's actions.
Working for Peace and Safety
As both defense minister and president, Ghazouani has done a lot to fight against extremist groups. These groups had caused dangerous attacks in Mauritania between 2005 and 2011. He worked to stop violence by reaching out to communities. He also talked with different groups and made the military stronger. These efforts have been very successful in making Mauritania safer.
Ghazouani also helped pay for the medical treatment of a radio presenter named Salka mint Sneid.
Images for kids
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Ghazouani in 2022
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Mauritanian Air Force rank insignia
See also
In Spanish: Mohamed Ould Ghazouani para niños
