Mauritania election: Jihadist, migration, slavery the key issues

President Ghazouani has also campaigned on the importance of the country’s security.

Mauritania is in the Sahel region, the semi-arid strip of land south of the Sahara desert, which is a hotbed of jihadist activity, but the country has been generally free of attacks since 2011.

Its neighbour, Mali, however continues to struggle with repeated jihadist attacks.

Analysts have partially credited President Ghazouani, whose long career in the army and security services has given him a deep understanding of the jihadist challenges facing the Sahel region.

President Ghazouani has developed a close alliance with Western partners like France and the US, but has also been careful to keep ties with its military-run neighbours like Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, who have shunned Western influence recently, reports the AFP news agency.

Head of the US Africa Command, Gen Michael Langley, said Mauritania has had a “longstanding” role in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism in the Sahel.

Cheikhani Khlil, communication professor at Mauritania’s Lebanese International University, told the BBC President Ghazouani has allied Mauritania with the US to combat the attacks.

“There is continued training conducted by US special forces for Mauritanian special forces units to secure national borders, which reinforces the tactical capabilities and combat readiness of our armed forces,” he said.

Analysts say that as an important player in regional security, Mauritania’s ability to continue this leadership role depends to a significant extent on an effective and peaceful transfer of power that leads to a stable government.