Mauritania's PM quits over blackouts, then is reappointed
A report blamed substandard imported parts and poor supervision for two substation fires that cut power to the capital for days.
Nouakchott — Mauritania's prime minister resigned on Friday over a damning report into fires that blacked out much of the capital, and was reappointed within hours, Africanews reports.
President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani met the prime minister after the resignation and asked him to form a new government.
The fires
The fires broke out less than 24 hours apart, on 21 and 22 August, at two main substations of the state electricity company, Somelec, in and around Nouakchott.
Large parts of the capital lost power, along with the towns of Ouad Naga, Idini and Aouleigat. The outages lasted between three and five days.
What the inquiry found
An independent commission reported "serious shortcomings regarding prevention, electrical protection, work supervision, and emergency management".
It found that:
- the fires were caused by electrical connectors that did not meet technical standards and had been imported by a private company;
- the faults were linked to three newly installed power lines;
- overheating was the most likely cause, not sabotage or an operating error.
It held the company and officials at the energy ministry responsible.
This report is based on reporting by Africanews.
