Soldiers announce overthrow of Mauritanian president

A group of army officers in Mauritania today announced the overthrow of President Maaoya Sid’Ahmed Taya.

The group identified itself as the Military Council for Justice and Democracy and announced the coup through the state-run news agency.

“The armed forces and security forces have unanimously decided to put an end to the totalitarian practices of the deposed regime under which our people have suffered much over the last several years,” the statement said.

The junta said it would exercise power for two years to allow time to put in place democratic institutions.