President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania has secured re-election for a second term, winning the national vote on Saturday with a comfortable margin of 56.1%.

His main opponent, anti-slavery activist Biram Dah Abeid, received 22.1% of the votes and has contested the results, alleging fraud. The country’s independent electoral commission, CENI, confirmed the results on Monday, reporting a voter turnout of 55% out of the 2 million eligible voters.

Taghioullah Ledhem, CENI’s spokesperson, stated that no detections of fraud have been made so far and no complaints have been received. However, some opposition candidates have expressed a different perspective, accusing the commission of collusion with Ghazouani’s regime due to its president being appointed by the government.

Abeid has denounced the provisional results as an “electoral coup d’état” and accused the electoral commission of fraudulently awarding Ghazouani thousands of votes “out of nowhere.” He urged civil disobedience against the government and called on the military and security forces not to be manipulated by the government against the people.

Despite allegations of corruption and mismanagement from his opponents, Ghazouani, a former army chief, remains popular among Mauritanians who view him as a symbol of stability. His victory solidifies Mauritania’s position as a key ally of the West in a region plagued by instability and violence.

The election took place amidst regional instability, with neighboring countries experiencing military coups and jihadi violence. Mauritania, rich in natural resources such as iron ore, copper, zinc, phosphate, gold, oil, and natural gas, is set to become a gas producer with the launch of the BP-operated Greater Tortue Ahmeyin offshore gas project by the year’s end.

However, nearly 60% of the population lives in poverty, primarily engaged in farming or informal employment. Limited economic prospects for youth have led many to seek opportunities in Europe and even attempt to reach the United States via Mexico.

The constitutional court will now review the numbers before announcing the final results.