Zeine Ould Zeidane
Encyclopedia
Zeine Ould Zeidane (born 1966) is a Mauritania
n economist
and politician
. He placed third as a candidate in the March 2007 presidential election
, and he subsequently served as Prime Minister from April 2007 to May 2008.
Born in Tamchekett
, Zeidane studied in Nouakchott
, then at the University of Nice in France. He taught briefly at the University of Nice before returning to Mauritania, where he taught at the University of Nouakchott
before entering banking. In 2000, he was posted to the World Bank
, while he later served as economic counsel to the President of Mauritania, Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya
. On July 26, 2004, he was appointed by Taya as Governor of the Central Bank of Mauritania. He was virtually the only minister to maintain his post following the coup of August 2005, leaving the position in September 2006 because of his presidential candidacy.
Zeidane announced his candidacy on December 18, 2006. In the presidential election, which was held on March 11, 2007, he was the youngest candidate, standing as an independent
. He took third place in the election with 15.28% of the votes cast. In the election, Zeidane was considered by some to be the candidate favored by exiled former president Taya. On March 17, Zeidane announced his support for Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi
in the second round of the election.
Abdallahi won the second round, held on March 25, and on April 20, one day after he took office as President, Abdallahi named Zeidane as Prime Minister. Zeidane took office on April 21. Zeidane's new government was named on April 28; it included 28 members and was composed of technocrats who were largely considered obscure figures. Three of the ministers appointed were members of the People's Progressive Alliance
(led by Messaoud Ould Boulkheir
, another presidential candidate who backed Abdallahi in the second round).
Zeidane presented the resignation of his government on May 6, 2008; Abdallahi accepted the resignation and appointed Yahya Ould Ahmed El Waghef
to succeed him on the same day.
Mauritania
Mauritania is a country in the Maghreb and West Africa. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean in the west, by Western Sahara in the north, by Algeria in the northeast, by Mali in the east and southeast, and by Senegal in the southwest...
n economist
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He placed third as a candidate in the March 2007 presidential election
Mauritanian presidential election, 2007
A Mauritanian presidential election occurred on 11 March 2007. Since no candidate received a majority of the votes, a second round was held on 25 March between the top two candidates, Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi and Ahmed Ould Daddah...
, and he subsequently served as Prime Minister from April 2007 to May 2008.
Born in Tamchekett
Tamchekett
Tamchekett is a town and commune in Hodh El Gharbi Region, Mauritania....
, Zeidane studied in Nouakchott
Nouakchott
-Government:The town was first divided into districts in 1973. First it was divided into four. From 1986, the city has been split into nine districts.* Arafat* Dar Naim* El Mina* Ksar* Riad* Sebkha* Tevragh-Zeina* Teyarett* Toujounine...
, then at the University of Nice in France. He taught briefly at the University of Nice before returning to Mauritania, where he taught at the University of Nouakchott
University of Nouakchott
The University of Nouakchott is a university in the city of Nouakchott, capital of Mauritania. It was established in 1981 and has more than 8,000 students.-External links: *...
before entering banking. In 2000, he was posted to the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
, while he later served as economic counsel to the President of Mauritania, Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya
Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya
Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya , was Prime Minister of Mauritania from 1981 to 1984 and president from 1984 to 2005. He guided Mauritania from military rule to democracy, and took a pro-Western stance in foreign affairs...
. On July 26, 2004, he was appointed by Taya as Governor of the Central Bank of Mauritania. He was virtually the only minister to maintain his post following the coup of August 2005, leaving the position in September 2006 because of his presidential candidacy.
Zeidane announced his candidacy on December 18, 2006. In the presidential election, which was held on March 11, 2007, he was the youngest candidate, standing as an independent
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
. He took third place in the election with 15.28% of the votes cast. In the election, Zeidane was considered by some to be the candidate favored by exiled former president Taya. On March 17, Zeidane announced his support for Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi
Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi
Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi is a Mauritanian politician. He served in the government during the 1970s, and after a long period of absence from politics he won the March 2007 presidential election, taking office on 19 April 2007...
in the second round of the election.
Abdallahi won the second round, held on March 25, and on April 20, one day after he took office as President, Abdallahi named Zeidane as Prime Minister. Zeidane took office on April 21. Zeidane's new government was named on April 28; it included 28 members and was composed of technocrats who were largely considered obscure figures. Three of the ministers appointed were members of the People's Progressive Alliance
People's Progressive Alliance (Mauritania)
The People's Progressive Alliance is a political party in Mauritania.The President of the APP is Messoud Ould Boulkheir, who was a candidate in the November 2003 presidential election, which was won by President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya...
(led by Messaoud Ould Boulkheir
Messaoud Ould Boulkheir
Messaoud Ould Boulkheir is among the first Haratine to become a political leader in Mauritania. Messaoud also contributed significantly to the end of the 1989 events in Mauritania, protecting the right of the victims and the emancipation of the Haratine in Mauritania with his party.Presently,...
, another presidential candidate who backed Abdallahi in the second round).
Zeidane presented the resignation of his government on May 6, 2008; Abdallahi accepted the resignation and appointed Yahya Ould Ahmed El Waghef
Yahya Ould Ahmed El Waghef
Yahya Ould Ahmed El Waghef is a Mauritanian politician. He was appointed as Prime Minister of Mauritania on May 6, 2008, serving until the August 2008 coup d'état. Waghef is also President of the National Pact for Democracy and Development , and he was Minister Secretary-General of the Presidency...
to succeed him on the same day.