An appeal court in Nouakchott confirmed the one-year imprisonment sentence imposed on Abdel Fettah Ould Abeidna, managing editor of the Al-Aqsa newspaper, for defaming businessman Mohamed Ould Bouammatou, on February 11, 2008. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)'s correspondent reported that the court also set aside the initial 300 million ouguiyas (approximately US $1,204,577) damages awarded against the journalist, pending the determination of befitting damages to Bouammatou.

An appeal court in Nouakchott confirmed the one-year imprisonment sentence imposed on Abdel Fettah Ould Abeidna, managing editor of the Al-Aqsa newspaper, for defaming businessman Mohamed Ould Bouammatou, on February 11, 2008. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s correspondent reported that the court also set aside the initial 300 million ouguiyas (approximately US $1,204,577) damages awarded against the journalist, pending the determination of befitting damages to Bouammatou.

At least 47 migrants died trying to reach Spain's Canary Islands after drifting for more than two weeks off the west coast of Africa in two boats, police sources in Mauritania said on Tuesday. Mauritania soldiers discovered 42 bodies in the sea near the northern port city of Nouadhibou, which lies on the frontier with Western Sahara, the sources said.

The UN refugee agency has successfully redeployed transport resources and aid supplies from Liberia to southern Mauritania after a gruelling 25-day cross-country journey. The 20 UNHCR trucks and their cargo of humanitarian assistance arrived at Rosso in southern Mauritania on Monday. They will be used to support the voluntary repatriation and reintegration of Mauritanian refugees from Senegal and Mali, which is due to start later this month or early next month.

Mauritanian lawmakers yesterday outlawed slavery in the desert country. With effect, those found promoting slavery or practising the century old culture will face between five and 10 years in prison. The leader of the anti-slavery group, SOS-Esclaves, Boubacar Ould Messaoud, expressed satisfaction about the development, describing it as “a great victory for the democrats and the people of Mauritania."