Coup in Mauritania

Mauritania has been an ally in the war on terror. No, they are not a key contributor, but an ally nonetheless. Well, this week, while President Maouya Sidi Ahmed Taya was attending the funeral of Saudi Arabian King Fahd, a military coup was staged. Hard to get too worked up for President Taya as he came to power by the same method in 1984. The concern now becomes his as yet unnamed successor. Whatever his internal issues, President Taya had taken a strong stance against radical islamists (is there another kind?) and we have no way of knowing whether that will continue or if Mauritania will become more of a haven for al-Qaeda.

I have no way of knowing what the United States reaction will be but my recommendation would be to quietly offer assistance in establishing a constitutional government. The leaders of the coup say they intend to hold power only as long as necessary to set up a democratic form of government. Take them at their word but don't provide any financial assistance until they take steps towards a normalized government. We don't want the new guy (whoever it is) to get too comfortable being in charge. A lot of these temporary leaders after coups end up being leader for life (Fidel anyone?).