Mariem Cheikh, a high level officer of IRA – Mauritania was arrested today in Nouakchott. Mariem was at a demonstration organized to protest the previous arrests in Rosso and in Nouakchott. The demonstration, following IRA’s deep commitment to peaceful social change, was non-violent. Mariem was the only person arrested. First hand witnesses said it was not apparent why she was arrested and not anyone else.
Biram Dah Abeid was interviewed by cell phone by Voice of America, West Africa. The interview is in French, you can listen here. This interview was possible through nimble international coordination. Last night a sympathetic guard gave Biram his cell phone. When IRA – USA learned he had his phone we worked to get the number to a VOA journalist. It is possible that CNN might also have interviewed him.
If one guard demonstrated some sympathy to Biram, others imprisoned in Rosso have not been so lucky. According the Hamady Lehbouss, violent torture has been reported regarding Samba Diagana, Abidine Matalla, Khatri Rahel, Cheikh Val and Hassane Mahmoud.
There is still no news about the whereabouts of IRA-Mauritanie spokesman, Dr Saad Louleyd, who was arrested on 11 novembre 2014.
In Nouakchott on November 12th two other members of IRA were arrested, Chedad MOHAMED and Mohamed VADOUA.
Leave a Reply