I don't know what was on Sidioca's mind when he gave his press statement assuring the general public and reaching out for his friends and foes alike. Neither do I know what the first thought that occurred to him when the news of his victory was broken to him. But I know for sure that his happiness was unbounded and those who lined up behind him along his way up to the top post have felt on cloud nine after carrying the day. There is nothing wrong with relishing in factory and celebrating the fruit of their labor provided the president elect and his close circle of friends and supporters realize that it not about the ceremonial show of elation alone but also showing good leadership and being the leader who "reassures" as Sidioca wants to picture himself. This leads me to wonder whether the merry guys were fully conscious not only of their victory but most significantly of how it was achieved. Sidioca has to stop for a second and give a serious thought to the landmark victory. He has to fully grasp that it was an ideal scenario any presidential contender would have longed for. How?
- Winning for the first time he runs for the post
- Quickly receive congratulations from your rival and hopes for success
- Being supported by the most influential people across the board, tribal leaders, businessmen, and their influential "Samsara" as well.
- Having cozy and warm relations with power wielding CMJD.
- Enjoying the support of the continental, Arab and international community
- Leading a country which sits on oil, gas, mineral riches and which has fertile lands and generous sea.
These factors show that Sidioca has all Mauritanians and international parties on onboard with him and he is presented with a historical moment to be the man of consensus and "reassurance" he promised to be. Great. Mauritania has believed in you and in what you said, now it's your turn to show that you meant it and carry through your campaign promises. We have seen an awful lot of similar moments when presidents in civil and military uniforms celebrate their way to the palace but we also have seen a trail of frustrations as none of those presidents cared about anything other than to sustain his power and favor his inner circle of friends. They were all good at reducing the country to the state and the state to their power. Now, It's in your power to change this, to change the way the state is run and how we grew to negatively perceive it. As you can see, with the support you enjoy you can alter the face of the country for good and restore trust in the state and the political elite which has long been associated with spectacular corruption as they competed to have access to state coffers and revenue-generating positions. Mauritanians hope that you are aware of the stakes and fully understand that we're talking here about a break-or-make situation. You alone have now the power to make of it a success story and turn the tide for a people who have suffered for decades from the failure of their successive leaderships.
I'm not going to sound the alarms and from the get-go put the blame on this or that person of your entourage and warn against your past. In fact, this is what we have been doing over the last month, engaging in a fruitful debate throughout the campaign and providing a balanced and fair coverage of Sidioca and AOD as well as the first round candidates. Now that the campaign is over and we have a winner who is the choice of all Mauritanians and trusted by all of them, even his rivals, we will be well served to wait until we see his government line up and see him implementing his policies and starting business. For the time being I think we have to give him the benefit of the doubt and make sure not disturb the serenity of the first days. AOD has set a good example for us to follow when he recognized the results and joined the well wishers. Let's join in but in our own way which is to remind Sidioca of the challenges he has to meet and the chances he should not take:
There is no doubt that democracy is a good thing and organizing fair and transparent polls is a new mile stone in the history of the country. But democracy and elections will be a political surplus and an institutional luxury unless they are put at the service of good governance and the rule of law. The real test of the viability of our democratic institution will be whether it will lead to change and help implement long-awaited reforms. In fact, democracies have been eclipsed in many countries around the world because they were divorced from the realities on the ground, failing to affect a fundamental transformation in people's lives for the better. There're many cases around the world when fair election brought corrupt and inefficient elites to power which failed to address the pressing issues of the people and were therefore either overthrown or plunged their countries into civil war and mayhem. To ward off likely scenarios in our country, the incoming president has to come up with policies which will lead to change. We all will be looking forward to see the next government's plans to turn around the economy, fight corruption in public administration, fair distribution of wealth on the national level, independence of the judiciary, education, escalating poverty, widespread unemployment, human rights abuses, etc. The record of the up coming cabinet along these lines will determine whether Sidioca is going to stay the course or will backpedal on his promises as well as deciding the political future of the country. The next five-year term will be crucial in this regards and the key is to make change palpably reflected on the lives of ordinary Mauritanians.
It's now obvious that we pinch high hopes on the president and his team to bring about change in the country, especially with the support he enjoys and the riches the country boasts of. Yet these hopes will not see the light unless we strike a warning note by attracting Sidioca's attention to the other less bight aspect of the picture. Let's read between the lines of the five points listed above:
- Winning for the first time he runs for the post (with only 53%, Sidioca will be ruling a deeply divided nation)
- Quickly receive congratulations from your rival and hopes for success (well because AOD is democratic and for that reason he will change his mind and the opposition with him in case there will be an abuse of power.)
- Being supported by the most influential people across the board, tribal leaders, businessmen, and their influential "Samsara" as well (these people change allegiance like winds reason why some of them are now with AOD)
- Having cozy and warm relations with power wielding CMJD (after its dissolution, the CMJD will either go to its barracks and end its alleged support for Sidioca or hang around sending a stern warning to many people, the first of them will be Sidioca.)
- Enjoying the support of the continental, Arab and international community (only if Sidioca lived up to his promises of democratic rule and rational reform)
Your Excellency, it's up to you to lead your country to safety and enjoy the support of all parties or derail it and lose the support and who knows may loose your seat as well (Hanana ente vem). I hope, I even pray, that you will be the leader who "reassures" even though the overtones of this word has always meant the status quo, a euphemism for inaction and being static. I don't like to think of "Change in stability", which certainly rings a bell we don't want to hear anymore. Wish you good luck.
mom
285 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 285 of 285Your new PM. Excellent choice. Cheers. Tidinit
12 avril 2007 : Le futur Premier ministre de la première République démocratique : L’oiseau rare a été trouvé...
A Président consensuel, Premier ministre consensuel. Le Président de la République aurait-il fait ses calculs il y a très longtemps en faisant savoir à l’opinion publique, aux acteurs politiques alliés ou non pendant la campagne présidentielle et l’avant investiture que rien ne sera scellé dans cette première République démocratique sans le consensus national?
Tout semble aujourd’hui le démontrer. En effet, ni les leaders politiques de l’ex majorité présidentielle « renouvelée » ou de l’ex opposition renforcée ne bénéficient du consensus tant recherché. Les uns et les autres se livrent des querelles intestines dont la Mauritanie n’a que faire. Alors, comment faire pour satisfaire tout ce monde bouillant et lui donner du temps pour mettre à rude son combat politique et surtout se familiariser à à la cohabitation dans l’intérêt suprême de l’Etat ? C’est bien sûr de trouver l’oiseau rare, le Premier ministre consensuel.
Selon des sources généralement bien informées, tous les prétendants à la Primature dont les noms circulent dans les salons nouakchottois sont loin de créer le consensus nécessaire pour la cicatrisation du passé autour d’eux. Devant cette réalité, le Président de la République M. Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi a semble t-il- su mener à bien et à fond ses investigations à l’intérieur du pays.
Dans cette quête de l’homme du consensus, le Premier Homme fort du pays a élargi ses recherches hors des frontières pour finir par découvrir le chef de gouvernement intègre, compétent, rodé à toutes les politiques propres à faire décoller la Mauritanie. Cet oiseau rare qui présidera aux destinées du futur gouvernement ne serait selon les mêmes sources que M. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. Mais qui est cet homme pour avoir bénéficié de toute l’estime et la pertinence du choix de la part du Président de la République ?
Pour ceux qui ont fréquenté les offices du système des Nations-Unies en Afrique et aux Etats-Unis, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed n’a pas besoin d’être présenté. C’est est un brillant universitaire et l’un des plus grands spécialistes internationaux des ressources humaines.
Actuellement, il s’est vu confier depuis quelques mois le poste stratégique de Directeur Adjoint des Ressources humaines de l’UNICEF à New York. Soit donc l’agence la plus importante du système des Nations Unies en terme d’opérationnalité.
Autre avantage non des moindres dans les gradins des Nations Unies, mis à part nos compatriotes en l’occurrence le secrétaire général des Nations Unies M. Ahmedou Ould Abdallah et Ibrahima Thiaw du PNUE, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed est incontestablement le Mauritanien le plus haut placé dans le système des Nations Unies.
A 46 ans, Ismail présente donc le profil taillé sur mesure du futur locataire de la Primature. Technocrate, compétent et intègre, il a fait toute sa carrière dans les Nations unies ou il a gravit un à un les échelons de la diplomatie internationale.
Son autre point fort qui expliquerait le secret de cette révélation, c’est que Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed n’appartient à aucune formation politique et donc saura traiter tout les acteurs politiques qui s’entretuent et s’injurent sur le même pied d’égalité. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed serait enfin tout particulièrement indiqué comme un Premier Ministre du consensus au moment ou les formations politiques se livrent d’impitoyables batailles autour des strapontins de la république.
Mohamed Ould Mohamed Lemine
mdhademine@yahoo.fr
Note: Info source : Rénovateur Quotidien (Mauritanie)
Could be also an April fool
If this guy is still in new york, can someone give me his address? I mean Isam3il off course.
As ano above has said it might by an April fool. Check the webpage for www.unicef.org. Anyway, the choice is excellent and hope it will hold
Where are you all? Couscous tab ! Tidinit
I am here, but I would rather eat cheybou djen, wella el mechwi, wella chawarma le prince, wella... "stop it un chinguittois, we dont care" ok.
I like the PM choice, it sounds like he got the "right" person. I still need to further search/ask about the dude.
Mom, has been absent for quite a while now, I hope the trade off is higher than the "opportunity cost," he's missing a lot, Un chinguitois divorcing Mutabi3e, tidinit becoming a girl... just to name few of the ongoing events within the blog community.
A week from today Sidioca will take control inshallah, we'll see how it goes.
Tidinit,
since you re the only one around, are you going to attend Sidioca inauguration?
A tte
Loneliness is terrible at this hour. Thanks for being around Un Chinguittois and that is why I like you (lol). Yeah lots of funny things going on with your divorce and me going bizarre.
As soon as I saw the news, I searched around in the web and could not find any mention. Also people who should know are not aware. So it is perhaps an April fool as the guy is ok and I heard from him quite often as being a very ok and very intelligent guy. In reading the article and knowing that we are only 7 days before D Day, I thought that is it. Things will become clearer tonight/tomorrow. Anyway the article is well balanced and has truth in it. Let's see: as I've told you Sidioca will bring either a unknown person (no ploitical link, no corrupt past, no past tesfag, etc..) and a very crooked one (the ones we are used to know and who will not bring any change, but are unavoidable). Ismael fits defivitively the first. Let's see and wish him the best. A tout a l'heure. A Tidinit still working to settle an issue with a tough Asian trader. Pray for me...
Un chinguittois, Californian, rim politician (where is he?), mom, Ano Extraordinaire, Levrak: no news from the salafists badia version? (lol)
I think the article on the new PM is just like the others: hoax. But let's see and wait for 19. Tidinit
How do you get along with Asians?coming from Mauritania, a country they've probably never heard of. And off course the trador will be tough, they are very good negociators. You look into their joint ventures/alliances with western firms, they are always at an advantage. Sometimes they go to the extreme of driving their partner out (American Rice enti vem?)
I just got this idea, talk about creativity, let's deviate a bit from politics and talk Business. After all it's what's driving this world.
You read everyday about huge amouonts of Foreign direct investment going to emerging countries (China, India, Brazil etc). And the developing world, Mauritania y compris, don't get anything. Only when it's about natural resources, we see this part of the world.
To be continued, I have an appointment now lol.
the main question is how to market Mauritania to these Western firms??
Everyone is asked wella plutot requested to address this issue and add valuable comments.
A tte!
guys,
I know Ismail very well. I can confirm that he will be a hell of choice. No political roots in NKTT, however, and that could make it a bit difficult for him to land or accept the position.
Let me do some homework back home and see what's happening as soon as I can a minute here.
My initial reaction is that Ismail will not leave a lucrative UN position for the unknown vacuume of home politics .. but I could be wrong. I hope I am wrong.
Californian
Good subject: Business & Mauritania. I think we need first a rule of law conducive to business. Since our market is small, lacks trained manpower and poor, it will be interesting to know what to do to sell anything to anyone besides natural resources (fish, oil, livestock to our neighbors, steel, gold and apparently uranium and diamonds). My fear is that anything we discuss will lead us again to politics as the place is in a real mess. Let's talk about it. I join in from the weekend. Get to finish typing something. Cheers. Tidinit
Californian,
Your knowledge of Ismael Yi Azzih we yizidou.I know him also a little bit and he is correct. Indeed it is risky, when you are not financially independent, to leave a Director level position in the UN and try out to save lkhyam. I am certain that with Sidioca and the other political figures playing the rules of the game (no other way but unity government), something can be achieved and better than anything else. Ismael will not steal.
Un Chinguittois: help us with the dilemna of those of us working very hard to make ends meet and then suddently Ely, Sidioca or Taya calling us for Prime Ministership or some other higher jobs before we have enough to fall back on when the honeymoon ends earlier than expected (that meaning been fired few months into the posh and lucrative position). It happened to the old Director of SNIM and will happen to some people that joined CMJD and I am really sorry for them. Happened a lot under Taya and will also happen under Sidioca. So, with your business acumen I am certain that you have an answer. I want to go back to lekhyam and I am hardly making ends meet with the Asians. You can die looking into their joint ventures/alliances and you see zilch. Help !
Good night to all. I am off. Tidinit
Hola Mis Amigos!
Tidinit,
You can look at this problem from different perspectives. Both would lead to the follow the same path, taking the offer. As an intellectual/highly educated person with great work experience, which was the case of Youssuf Abdeljelil, is the case of the UN guy, Isma3il, and I am pretty sure is your case too. You basically have nothing to loose. And I mean it literaly. Your competitive advantage is intangible and immune to depreciation, ur skills/education/experience. Their value can get any lower.
perspective 1 (Idealistic):
Someone who's really passionate about helping rebuilding his country, and to whom money is a secondary attribute.The choice is clear he would take the job, and be back to Nouakchott as soon as he can.
Perspective 2 (realistic):
Someone who understands that to be able to live a decent life in today's world, u need money ($)and lots of it, this person would weighs the pros and cons of the offer, and how much he will get in terms of $ and also prestige lol. I still think he should take it. Afterall what's the worst that could happen? He gets fired, but he just added a GREAT experience to his resume/CV and made a lot of connexions. And if He did a decent job, he can get almost any job at any international organization.
Other things that people in Mauritania should think about,is developing entrepreneurial skills, and have their own businesses. That is what makes the real difference for the individual as well as the society/country.
We should also promote investments to this land, as Tidinit mentioned it, the government has to step in to make it more attractive. For these companies to consider coming, they want a place that has infrastructures, with rule of law, educated employees to hire and so on. A lot of these issues have to be addressed by the government, bu the Elite and Businessmen of the country should also take a part of the the responsibility. Whether by investing in human capital (Building universities/ sponsoring students) or in real assets to boost different parts of the private sector(Agriculture/ fishing indutry, and if we are ambitious manufacturing).
Short story long we need some positive changes, easy to say lol
A plus, and good night
Where are my people? Are you guys being attacked by the Salafists? Tidinit
I am gone. Sayanora. Tidinit
Alright Chinguitois, Tidinit, and others who want talk business, let’s do it.
I have a little bit of money and I want to invest, but let me start with telling you this anecdote that I really relate to.
It’s about a guy from ehl elbadye(country side) who never been to town. His daughter is getting married and he decided to sell his biggest and dearest goats to finance the wedding. Since he never sold anything, he asked around and was advised that ehl dashra are bandiat they might trick him and get his goats for cheep. The only way is to shoot for double the offers he gets. So he is at the Marbat and ready to do business. His first client came, they had the following conversation:
Client: These are beautiful goats how much for this 3atrous?
Country man: Kam tati vih?
The client: I will give you 2000,
Country man: NO I can only sell it for 4000,
The client: I will pay you 3000,
The country man: NO, I can only sell it for 6000.
The client got irritated, and said alright you asked for 4000 first and I will pay you 4000. The country man: NO, I can only sell it for 8000.
The client: 5000,
The country man: 10000, …and so on
The same conversation happened with many more potential buyers. He ended up not selling the goats, the wedding got cancelled and the girl is still single and available. True Story! (No it’s not(lol)).
Now back to my own goats, I am indeed looking for investment opportunities for my very few dollars. They are being chased by many suitors. So what do I do with my money? I can’t donate it to Tidinit’s 2012 campaign. That would a big risk, because –Tidinit you might know more about this-, In the Chinese calendar 2012 is supposed to be the end of the world. Also I don’t want to buy goats or real state in Tafragh Zeina because I am a no Tafragh Zeina guy. Any suggestion?
Awaiting your inputs,
EYOUB
hi guys
i was reading all comments i missed a very good debate
Eyoub my advice for u is to buy some taxis and piece of land somewhere land is the best investisment
guys is the week end what's up
cheers
Hola Eyoub,
One thing for sure, DO NOT GIVE ANYONE YOUR MONEY TO INVEST IT, HE WILL RIPE U OFF, NO MATTER HOW WELL U KNOW HIM OR HOW RELIGIOUS HE IS. That being said, unless u have a clear vision on a special investment, which u dont seem to have, save your money wella invest in real estate; and hope that the ocean dont go over nktt.
I hope that helps!
The only way for expatriates to invest their money is in the real estate sector, any other form of investment will be disastrous. Lawlessness has produced an unsecure commercial environment where everything goes, even credible state and private institutions can rob you of your money without fear of having to face the law. Within this environment, I don’t advice you to even deposit your money in the bank which is still a personal property. UN CHINGUITTOIS, your warning not to trust anyone with your money is key and speaks of terrible experience.
the America Embassy in Algeria has warned against probable attacks today against targets in the capital Algiers. Guys, we’re speaking here about the Salafist group of Preaching and Combat which were behind Lemgueiti attack and which caused the death of 15 Mauritanian soldiers. Now with the string of attack in Algiers and Casa Blanca and with the ongoing security clampdown in Mauritania, don’t you see that our country is not that far away from the danger? Shall I remind you that the Salafist group is the most murderous after the dismantling of Armed Islamic Group (GIA) which masterminded number of violent attacks in Algeria and Europe in addition to a series of plane hijackings. Please how do see these developments and what would the country react if lakadara allah became the target of the group?
don’t trust UN CHINGUITTOIS and the last ano, business is about openness, trust and risk. Anyone who is not willing to run chances will not be part of the business world and has to stop throwing advice left and right.
For you, I mean real businessmen, I’m available and ready to launch a trading partnership with anyone who has the money and a sense of risk (calculated). Now is the time, because prices are soaring in the country and if we don’t take advantage of this tomorrow a new government will step forward and control prices and we will regret it. So go ahead and contact me.
Last ano
Ente teyfai khatir
President elect renewing his commitment to reform, read: http://www.alakhbar.info/page1.php?id=7317&catid=2
Ano 08:51:00 PM, Let's say I take a risk and give you 10 grand. Just roughly, what profit should I expect say, after 6 months?
Rim Politician, welcome back, you were missed. Ano 8:30, Chinguittois, thanks for the feedback. I was thinking along the line of a collective project. Meaning that a group of us(day-brakers), get together, each one tips in, and get a capital that could help kick start a real project, that could create some jobs and eventually make us some money. Our country is an unexplored ground for factories, software development, digital communications, electronics, etc. There is so much that could be done, yet every body wants to buy a piece of land out in the middle of nowhere.
Regarding the Salfists, I agree with anonymous 8:42. What’s happening in our neighboring countries is disturbing. Those guys are expanding really fast. They were also fighting in Tunisia recently, they have astrong presence in Mali and even Niger. Nevertheless, Mauritanians don’t kill people.
EYOUB.
Eyoub, now we’re talking sense. You give me 3 million ouguias and expect a benefit of one million in 6 months.
Eyoub, I find your proposal quite interesting but the problem is not with the money but with the management. It always comes down to finding the trustworthy person who can take matters in hand and be in charge. Unfortunately we don’t have this type of people anymore in the country. Twenty two years of Taya’s mess were enough to turn us into a society of criminals vying for survival by all means. This is shocking but true. I know many people who have a lot of money and want to invest in the kind of projects you just outlined but can’t find the right trustworthy guy. The paradox is that people have been subjected to hoaxing and cheating several times in their life and are now unwilling to trust anybody, not anymore.
Most people would tell you that they would trust only their friends but since these will cheat on them better to keep them as friend than let business turn them into enemies.
Two suicide bombers blew themselves up in the Moroccan city of Casa Blanca.
mom
Thanks Ayoub for your piece of Fri Apr 13, 02:32:00 PM. I laughed out loud regarding the issue of the goueiratt gentleman and his daughter still unmarried (Un chinguittois enta vem? Take advantage of this man).
On a more serious tone regarding those of you outside and working harder to save in order to go back, one single advice: just buy empy land in desirable areas in Nktt (Tevragh Zeina or other sectors such as Sector 3, 4,5 and 6) and they are the best bet. They were going for 1.5 million+ (+-$3-$4000)in December/January and buy the most you can, get the sale done through the proper process and keep the papers/deeds with you. Do one or two real estate deals a year and work ten years out. Don't buildd anything as you will be ripped off by your own mother. When you are ready to come, create a real estae company and borrow money from the banking sector to build apartment and/or shops. But you have to be careful to enlist a good lawyer and an excellent financial analyst if you are not strong with numbers and the fine prints. The other option is to make plans for a huge apartment complex and sell off some to potential buyers so as to be able to build the whole free of charge while retaining the most important (all the ground premises and if there are shops that is better and some in the middle of the building). You can even sell the plot to your children and rent it for 99 years, so that the suckers buying your apartments have only 99 years or less to go. There is nothing wrong buying some real estate books and reading them to help you set up goals. Remember: the $$ side is not important (it is wrong to set up goals in terms of $$) but where you see yourself 10-15 from now, having enough to be financially independent (able to pay for kids education, b able to sustain an acceptable quality of life, etc..). Going to read the other messages. Tidinit
Hah I forgot Ayoub. Avoid buying goats when you are away and letting your mother or sister managing them. The mother may just give them one by one to her nephews and your husband's sister will eat the rest and divorce the sister when there is no more and you get made (sahib legweiratt enta vem?). Tidinit
I read the messages and most agree on one thing:buy real estate and keep working. So, my advica again: you are well educated and can make sense of planning for the future. go real estate, but read first. You need to know something on the theory of localisation, urban economics, finance and real estate development. Iwill send you some references later and you may wish to visit the site of the Urban League Institute.Visit ant university library if you are in the state and read. Don't worry about esoteric equations if you are not well grounded in these things. By reading you will come ahead. The other route if you are in hurry to go back and have some $$ and links to those people involved in servicing the oil companies, that is where you can make money quick. But you need to have some capital and be a relative of the sharks surrounding the oil service sector or they will not let you in. Tidinit
Thanks mom for the fresh info re: bombing in Morocco. This is serious and Nouakchott and other big cities should pepare for the worst. Lemgheity is still a secret. Hopre you guys had the opportunity to read le Monde Diplomatique of February 2005 (about El Para). Governments use sometimes these groups for something or the other. And like American, they lose control and get victimized at the end. Read this week an article on where the region stands with the salafists (Journal le Monde and put in Cridem). Please read it carefully. Tidinit
very intersting insight into corruption in the minstry of education:
http://www.alakhbar.info/page1.php?id=7322&catid=2
the Assembly of Mauritanian opposition in the Disapora put a freeze on its activities indefinately, read on Saharamedia:
http://www.saharamedia.net/?ArtID=903&alles=1&ArtCat=1
Blog's curator
Eyoub,
I like that idea and I think it's exactly what we should do, but that means we need to manage it ourselves. Mauritania is definitely in need of these types of investment, they provide job opportunities as well as capital, techonolgy, and managment expertise to My country. But we have to first identify an underserved sector, they are many, that we want to invest in, and see what we are willing to put in, in terms of time and $$. It's rsiky but the returns, I'm assuming, would be great in case we succeed.
A plus,
Two young engineers applied for a single position at a computer company. They both had the same qualifications. In order to determine which individual to hire, the applicants were asked to take a test by the department manager.
Upon completion of the test, both men had each missed only one of the questions. The manager went to the first applicant and said, ''Thank you for your interest, but we've decided to give the job to the other applicant.''
"And why would you be doing that? We both got nine questions correct," asked the rejected applicant.
"We have based our decision not on the correct answers, but on the question you missed," said the department manager.
"And just how would one incorrect answer be better than the other?" the rejected applicant inquired.
''Simple,'' said the department manager, ''Your fellow applicant put down on question #5, 'I don't know.' You put down, 'Neither do I.'''
the internet site eddarb.com is confirming the selection of ZZ as prime minister.
Californian
ne7guer ane yemme enha etkhali edhkar!
I thought that there was some kind of truce between the islamists and the government in Algeria. With what is going on it seems to me that the islamists will not stop until they get the power. For your reading + photos with the link below. Tidinit
http://siteinstitute.org/bin/articles.cgi?ID=publications273307&Category=publications&Subcategory=0
Armed Islamic groups are a real threat to the entire region of the Maghreb and with the sleeping cells of these groups back into life, we can only expect further violence in the days and months to come. The problem with this form of Islamic movements is that they don’t recognize modern state structures, including democracy, and use violence to set up their own vision of Islamic state. Apart from the human and material damage, the violent character of these groups leaves the state with no option other than security clampdown with no political settlement in sight. Since these Al-Qaida offshoots refuse dialogue the state always finds itself compelled to adopt a tough line in order to counter them. Another danger lies in the possibility of these violent attacks being a set back to the growing rapprochement between moderate islamists and governments in the regions. So far with Morocco and Algeria allowing peaceful Islamic movements more political participation, we can only hope that our country will do the same and contain the threat of the Salafists drawing some of the now moderate islamists.
mom
Fully agree with you mom. It is also my views. A good book to read is: l'histoire du terrorise - sde l'Antiquite a El Qaida. I read it two years earlier and it was a wake-up call for me. Tidinit
N.B: what follows is long and in relation to real estate. I have promised to send you something about it and here it is. Long (sorry) and advise you cut and past in work and print to read.
Can Un chinguittois do the same with regard to entry in the service business in the oil/gas sector. If Mauritanian are not organized, the oil/gas companies have no other alternative but to bring the service providers from outside.
Dear All,
YOU BETTER CUT AND PAST WHAT IS BELOW SO AS TO READ IT CAREFULLY. DON’T DO REAL ESTATE IN MAURITANIA WITHOUT IT.
UN CHINGUITTOIS: WHILE WE ARE WAITING FOR SIDIOCA TO INSTALL HIS GOVERNMENT, CAN YOU PLEASE MAKE SOME RESEARCH ON HOW TO GET INTO THE BUSINESS OF SERVICING OIL COMPANIES? THAT SECTOR IS CLOSED TO MOST OF US AND THERE IS WHERE YOU CAN MAKE REAL MONEY, PARTICULARLY IF YOU SPEAK/READ ENGLISH WELL AND LIVED SOME TIME IN NDECENT ENVIRONMENTS ABROAD. TIDINIT
I promised you some references and guidance in relation to real estate and these are below (who started real estate here? Levrak and Un Chinguittois I believe):
1. REAL ESTATE FINANCE & INVESTMENT MANUAL by Jack Cummings, Prentice Hall, 1997 – ISBN: 0-13-493396-b or 0-13-493388-5 (p) – This book seems to be revised and expanded from time to time. Excellent on how real estate deals are made and from where to get all this huge $$ to invest in commercial and residential real estate. First to read, whether you are a veteran or new in real estate bsiness;
2. THE REAL ESTATE GAME – THE INTELLIGENT GIDE TO DECISION-MAKING AND INVESTMENT by William J. Poorvu & Jeffey L. Cruikshank, the Free Press 1999 – ISBN: 0-684-85550 –X. The author of a real estate professor from Harvard. The most important part of the book is the BOT technique (Back - Of-Envelope Technique) that allows you to know very quickly whether a real estate deal makes sense or not. Very good if you try to do use spreadsheet to make financial analysis on a given deal. This is the second to read and has full of advices such as for example never use your house as a collateral in a real estate deal, but use OPM or other people money (banks);
3. REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT WORKBOOK AND MANUAL by Howard A. Zuckerman & Georges D. Blevins, Prentice Hall, 1991 – ISBN 013-763491-1 – Certainly expanded and revised from time to time. Unavoidable guide for someone going into real estate for the very, very big money. It tells you that size matters in both sense: smaller apartments for rent or the biggest shopping center if demand is there;
4. REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT: PRINCIPLES AND PROCESS by Mike E. Miles, Gayle Berens & Marc A. Weiss, Urban Land Institute –ISBN 0-87420-5201. It has everything and the most important is how in the US 60% of people own their homes. For also those who will join any government and use the historical experience in the US to deal with low income housing. Also for the real estate developer: what to look for and what to avoid. A gem;
For those of you who have an MSc or PhD in finance or in any other area of economics (or have well done their BS or maîtrise in economics) better have this book around:
5. REAL ESTATE FINANCE AND INVESTMENT by William B. Brueggeman & Jeffrey D. Fisher, McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2002 ISBN:0-07-365809-X. This text has been in print since 1954 and amended from time to time. Seems to be used in all finance courses in the US from the University of Alabama to the University of Washington (is there any University of ZZ lol?). Columbia University for sure uses this book. So this is the REFERENCE for those of you who can understand and use the tools of finance/economics applied to real estate.
The above references are not very esoteric – besides the last one – and you should definitively have them in your personal library if you think going into big or medium real estate in Mauritania. These references will give you an edge and prepare you for things to come. They are expensive (around $60 per book and they are worth it 1,000,000 times). This is the good thing about America and not Mauritania: they are pragmatic when it comes to knowledge and lead you how to use that knowledge. But one is warning: you have to do your homework, that is, you have to read, get the facts and act;
Now some guidance on how to go about it on real estate in Nouakchott:
1. For your first house buy a piece of land where you believe people with $$ will live. That is Tevragh Zeina and the area between there and the Ksar. You have to be closer to schools and shops. The best area is near the French school/Embassy of France but difficult to find an empty lot or someone who want to sell. Check the Googgle map of Nouakchott for that and act (don’t throw up as Nouakchott looks dry/dirty from the air but Tevragh Zeina -Nouakchott is bloody expensive and will soon outpace Dakar which is even more expensive with land costing around $300,000 in desirable areas and I am talking about 400-500 square meters (I really don’t know why, but certainly demand by the Senegalese diaspora). Prices besides the areas already built of Tevragh Zeina are still affordable today, that is, between 1-4 million UM. Built and desirable empty plots in Tevragh Zeina are around 15 million+. The new areas not yet built will go to 15-20 million very quickly as soon as a good government team is in place, hopefully. If you are not in hurry, that is, you are still young, working at the McDo across the street, go for a plot in the following sectors: sectors 3, 4 , 5 and 6 of Tevragh Zeina (still affordable but may go up as soon as soon as oil/gaz starts flowing in democratically). If you are in hurry to buy land and build today in TZ, you are dead. But if you have $$, go ahead and you will lose nothing. The annual appreciation of TZ is around 20%-40% per year and has not yet reached yet the price plateau. It is the price of land that pushes the real estate prices and remember that ALWAYS. People say a good villa in Tevragh Zeina today go for a minimum of 50 million (I say 60-70 million). Deduct from that price the cost for replacing the same build structure and you get approximately the price of land. Below that price of 50-70 million means that the seller is an amateur and real estate amateurs will disappear soon like dinosaurs;
2. Build your house smaller enough just to accommodate you and your small family so that you use the rest of the plot for your garden or a big room to receive occasional guest coming for tea. The mistake made by lots of people is that they build a very big house to impress their mother-in-law and the neighbor and cannot maintain it later. The house then depreciates over the years because of lack of maintenance and that also influence on the attractiveness of the surrounding houses (drop in price) and I think that is not fair. If you have a huge house today in Nouakchott, look for 80,000 UM per month to maintain it (2 “boys” minimum, a security person, a gardener). They say today you need a boy for cooking, a boy for cleaning the house, a boy to clean the children cloths, a boy to guard the house, a boy to make tea only, etc.. and it is not a joke). You can’t pay a good house help today in Nktt below 20,000 UM. Please do the math …and stick to your job if you do not want to join the roumouz when you are back
3. Buy as much as you can and do not stop until you are back. If you are to buy, check first at the Service des Domaine that the title is good and at the name of the alleged owner. Don’t buy something you cannot see. If you are away ask your brother, sister or better your mother to check for you. So many people buy land without checking and find that it is on top of a salty area and that is deadly in terms of $$ maintenance for any building you may erect there in the future;
4. Do plans with a good architect and hire a structural engineer to oversee the contractor. Don’t believe your cousin the contractor that he will build a replica of his beautiful house for you. He will cheat you and 5-10 years later you have to spend more and more to maintain/rebuild the house and that is deadly. Your cousin or friend the contractor will then be dead or bankrupt as his reputation catches up with him sooner than later. So many contractor/developers get trapped these days in Nouakchott;
5. $$ for building your house at least: you have to come up with the full $$ as there is not possibility to borrow for that in the existing banks in RIM. Either the interest rate is high or the repayment period is short (high monthly payment with the risk of losing all if you miss 2-3 payments, even if the banker is your cousin). You may wish to borrow from outside and service the payment with your monthly salary or earnings while you work. Borrow always 10-30% more above the estimated cost because there is always something you forgot to tell your cousin the contractor or the latter forgot to that something dear to you;
6. $$ for real estate venture beyond your house: there is no possibility to have a mortgage of 20-30 years now. I am talking about $$ millions. Two options: (i) get the financing from abroad but that is dangerous as you have to service the debt in foreign currency while you are getting rent in UM. If there is change in the UM parity overnight that might be painful and you might lose your shirt. I’ve read in the first book referenced above (REAL ESTATE FINANCE & INVESTMENT MANUAL) that an alternative may exist but I am keeping that for me (Un chinguittois enta vem?). The banks might (I say might) know about it but the state institution does not because of sheer incompetence. It is the Caisse Nationale de Securité Siociale. If you want to know the alternative go to the first book and read it;
7. Never rent a house without checking the background of the potential tenant. Does he or the institution employing him have enough resources to pay the rent? Always build in the rental agreement 3 months deposit to be given back when the tenant vacate the premises and all repairs are made. Rent should be paid 2-3 months in advance. If the tenant can only manage monthly payment, add in the contract 10% above the rent you agreed. If he/she pays on the 30/31 of the month, it will be 90.000 UM and one day later it will be 99,000 or something like that. You have to be fair, but business is business. So many lost their houses to banks because they were not able to manage the thing correctly and lost tenants one after the other because they were late on their rents 5-10 months. If the potential tenant protests about the 10%, just ask him a question: you do not intent in paying your rent at the end of the month? That will do the trick.
8. Never let the exterior of the house in the hand of the tenant. He has no interest in up keeping the house and you will be surprised of the mess when you come back one or two years later. Hire someone to paint and maintain the trees inside and outside your rented house and add it to the rental price.
9. Last advice: get everything in writing with a lawyer. So many times you agree with someone on something and you discover suddenly that he has a selective memory and particularly if he is a cousin or someone related to your family or something of that sort.
The above are some guidance on real estate from someone who does not own anything, but is very competent in advising or criticizing politicians at home. I think I have done my homework and I enjoyed it because I want to help those of you who are novice. It happened to me years ago: build a small house in sebkhed oulad nacer without any drawing, in the middle of a salty area and what surprise when I came back four years later! All the structure eaten by salt, no more inhabitable and I have to sell it for 10% of what I paid for the whole damm thing 5 years earlier. So: be careful and do your homework, that is, read as much you can. In real estate you make one stupid mistake and your are badly set for life. Cheers and have a good day. Tidinit
Tidinit,
great analysis!
Before buying any real estate I would seek your advice, as long as it's free. You should, however keep in mind that Mauritania has its own rules. For example contracts are meaningless, especially if the other party is a cosin or someone u know. It would look bad on u if u take ur thief cosin to the police.
General rule: never rent/sell to a relative, especially if u're more affluent than them. They somehow assume it's ur duty to offer them "shelter." lol
About the servicing business, whether it's for oil or other industries, I think it's the way to go!! Huge potential for profit, nonexisting local competitors, and high barriers to entry (required special skills, knowledge/education, and work experience), it's not the kind of job that "samsaras" can do. You also have the "home" advantage over the foreign firms.
I have to go now, I will do some research to be able to quantify the opportunities ans share them with you.
Good Night everyone!
Thanks Un Chinguittois. Because of the lawlesness in the country, it is alwayas better to go INSTITUTIONAL, that is, do things with established institutions and IN WRITING BY A LAWYER. If you are in the US, you can perhaps look into oil companies'websites to see how they hire service providers and what kind of things they need (foodstuff, spare parts, etc..) so that someone can prepare by renting/building warehouses and bidding with the other people who do not want to share that fabulous market. When you read reports from the World Bank or from the oil companies, you see that they invested in Mauritania hundred of millions of US$ and someone want just to get a piece (share) of that. That is, I think, the way to go. Thanks for your positive comments and those reference are worth their weight in gold for anyone wanting to venture into real estate. Looking forward to the outcome of your research. Cheers. Tidinit
Talking about oil. Companies are leaving the country, according to the link below
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=32&ContentID=26120
Something on home from BBC. Those who are interested in global warming, please pick-up the most recent Newsweek (16-23 April 07). There is a huge dossier on the subject and I have not yet read. Regards. Tidinit
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6549197.stm
Any news on whether we know our new PM? I read that Sidioca met the independents+mithaq over the weekend. They said that they do not want a union government and he said he wants. He seems to be a tough cookie and that is what we are looking for. God bless his hide. I am with Sidioca 100% now. Tidinit
Where are you people? Going for dinner as I have not eaten anything the whole day. Who want chinese food? Cheers and se ya tomorrow ...
I like suchi better than chinese
food mostly not halal al least suchi from the sea
I agree with you. I am told that sometimes the chinese give you dog meat and say it is beef. What you can do? Just eat or die. It is bizarre: I can't eat japanese food because everything is raw. Good day Ano
some body earlier asked for ISMAEEL OULD SIEKH AHMED's addres
is: 423E 44 ST apt;1230
new york NY 10002
if you need any other information
please feel free to call me at 1917
Ano of Tue Apr 17, 10:26:00 AM
Hope you are not a Salafist. You refer two haram twice in your messages.
row meat better than haram chines
Thanks,I did ask about his address weeks ago.
Call u at 1917, is that a real number? and are you in new york?
When is the event so that we leave office, go home and watch news. Nothing news today and all is calm. Who want to bet for the PM: ZZ, Ould Mohamed Salah, Ould Babbah, Samba Thiam from IMF,Ould Lebatt, Ould Guig (not heard from this guy), Hasni Ould Didi (might just be the one as he seems to be close to Sidioca), Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Mohammeddou (a sbai), Kane Ousmane of BCM, Tidinit, mom, rim politician, Levrak, un Chinguittois, Ano Extraordinary, Or a real unknown. Futile exercise ...
hi guys
i bet on zz 2 GS but i think the most competent between these guys is the gouverneur de la bank central b coz he is very edicated quiet have enough money to not steal
end don't forget i think he is the only mauritanian who is graduated from polythechnique de paris and was the vice president of la BAD
anyway we will c soon
mom can u bring us a tv and decoder to watch "tenssib era2isse deamin" lol
guys no rumours going or what if someone has known anything plz tell us
congratulations for the new democratic country and i hope sidioca will be a good president for us and develope our beloved country
have a good time
last ano i am far from being a PM lol
I hope he will be my cousin, :)
Your cousin is black, coffee-milk or white? or all of the above (better and more close to the reality). Appears that the intronisation of Sidioca is going well. We shall at least know the name of the PM tonight. Cheers. Tidinit
I am wathing it on tvm, SIDIOCA seems very nice, the way he greets everyone. Before the guy reaches him, you see Sidioca reaching for the guy, a positive sign I hope. Anyone else made the remark?
My cousin is brown plutot :) I forgot to sign my name lol
I have heard that ZZ wont be the PM
Tidinit, I know I owe you a research on oil servicing, but I haven't had the time to do it. It's the finals' period, and I have endeless projects due, and exams coming, so "Plz forgive me I dont know what to do" lol.
No PM yet? Enjoyed last night and slept well + could not follow news. Tidinit
mom,
I know you are busy writing your text on yesterday and certainly today/tomorrow. Please note that the speech of Sidioca is available in Nouakchott-Info page. Wish you the best and we all know that we will be getting deep insight into the way forward. Tidinit
the number is ; 19174235337
that for mr ismael in newyork
Ano of Fri Apr 20, 10:20:00 AM
Is Ismael still in the loop on this PM thing?. I hope so and he is a good gentleman.
My theory: the PM is coming from outside and on his way home. Otherwise, if it were ZZ, Sidioca would have announced it already, as it is embarrassing to make the people wait to know their PM. Tidinit
Sidioca has just named ZZ PM.
MOM
(Unfortunately I have to trash the blog I just finished about the installation of Sidioca as President in light of this new development which runs against all expectations)
Mauritanie - Politique
Nomination du Premier ministre
Nouakchott, 20 avr (AMI)- La Présidence de la République communique :
Par décret en date de ce jour est nommé Premier ministre :
Monsieur Zein OulD Zeidane
AMI
the clash began, zz is on!
Bad choice. The future's gloomy.
Hopes for change in the country evaporated with this appointment. I won’t be surprised to see Lumrabout and Skair in the government, everything is now likely.
Right! All seems to be wrong now.
Brothers, the only way to follow now is fighting.
zz is the head of big queue of thieves.
guys,
Let’s save the frustration and the judgment until the whole gov't is announced. One PM is not going to be the difference maker. ZZ's influence will be very limited if faced with strong type a personalities in key positions. So, take a deep breath and wait for the rest of the nominations.
Californian
californian maybe one of those strong personalities i hope so
I am not a fan of ZZ. But ZZ came third in the polls. Knowing his short past, let's watch him and hope that Sidioca will be strong to fire him if he does not play the good governance game.
Remark 1: why Sidioca is still maintaining Dahi and Deiche? I saw both on TV today and I was very suprised. He should have gotten his cabinet from the first day.
Remark 2: Sorry I was fully wrong when I said that Sidioca was going to bring a fresh PM from outside. I thought the guy was strong enough to give a strong signal that business as usual was over. I was just making a wish (Prime Minister black & competent).
Remark 3: I learned the thing (ZZ PM) last night by 10 pm and I was so discouraged that I slept until mid day today. My great surprise: all the blogs are just not giving ZZ the benefit of the doubt and they are calling back x ould y.
Remark 4: where is Aziz?
Glad to realize that none of you was dead. Cheers. Tidinit
this blog is dying abd embarrasingly behind.
I agree with last ano, the blog is very sick, and we don't do something, it will eventually die :(
if
previous ano
go and do someting and stop complaining. Say what's the problem.
It`s very important, for mauritanians living in the foreign countries, to have an english writing blog.
But the question right now is how to enrich it and to make it more attractive, than it looks.
Great website. Lots of useful information here. I'm sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you for your sweat!
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