Mauritanian Anti-Slavery Activists Biram Dah Abeid Resigned in Parliament

Biram Dah Abeid, a prominent Mauritanian human rights campaigner and anti-slavery champion, announced his resignation from parliament on Monday, alleging “widespread corruption” in the West African country where he serves as an opposition lawmaker. Abeid ran for president three times, but was beaten twice by current leader Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, who won by 56 percent to Abeid’s 22 percent in 2024.

Abeid resigned in protest of “pervasive mismanagement and corruption fostered by the current government” during a plenary session broadcast on television on Monday. He did not provide specific details on his allegations. He stated that he will oppose the current regime through legal means, struggle, and on the ground. He also stated that debates within the current parliament have become pointless.

Abeid is the leader of the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA), which opposes the continued existence of slavery and slavery-related behaviours in Mauritania.Abeid is one of the descendants of black slaves elected to parliament in a country dominated by people of Arab and Berber origin.

Also Read:

At The Doha forum, the Somali President Denounces Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland 

Steven Looije: Offering Real Estate Expertise for Smart Investments With HUIS Real Estate