Mauritania’s ruling party wins majority parliament

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania – Mauritania’s election commission says the West African nation’s ruling party has won a majority of seats in a second round of legislative, municipal and regional elections.

The election commission said Monday that the Union for the Republic now has 93 of 157 seats on the National Assembly. It also won control of all of the regional councils and 169 of 219 municipalities.

The second round vote took place Sept. 15.

The party’s victory is crucial for President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz’s political future. His second and final term ends next year but he hopes to keep the ruling party in power for the 2019 presidential elections.

Mauritania, like several other West African nations, faces a growing threat from extremists as well as the day-to-day challenges caused by underdevelopment.