Rally of Democratic Forces

The Rally of Democratic Forces (French: Rassemblement des Forces Démocratiques, RFD), or Assembly of Democratic Forces, is a political party in Mauritania. It is led by Ahmed Ould Daddah.

For the rebel group in Chad and Sudan, see Rally of Democratic Forces (rebel group).
Rally of Democratic Forces
PresidentAhmed Ould Daddah
Founded2002 (2002)
Preceded byUnion of Democratic Forces
HeadquartersIlôt K N° 120, Nouakchott
IdeologyDemocratic socialism
Social democracy
Secularism
Political positionCentre-left
National affiliationCoordination of Democratic Opposition
International affiliationSocialist International
Progressive Alliance
Colors  Black
National Assembly
6 / 95

In October 2000, the Union of Democratic Forces-New Era, which was led by Daddah, was dissolved by the government for allegedly inciting violence and harming the country's interests. In its place the Rally of Democratic Forces was established, and Daddah was elected its President in January 2002.[1]

In the parliamentary election held on October 19 and 26 October 2001, the party won 5.6% of the popular vote and 3 out of 81 seats.

Daddah declared the RFD to be "the country's biggest political force" after the first round of the 2006 Mauritanian parliamentary election, held on 19 November. The RFD participated in this election as part of an eight party opposition alliance.[2] It won 15 out of 95 seats in the 21 January and 4 February 2007 Senate elections 7 out of 56 seats. In the 11 March and 25 March 2007 presidential election, Daddah, the party's candidate, won 20.69% in the first round,[3] but was defeated in the second round with 47.15%.[4]

Daddah said on May 7, 2008 that the RFD would not participate in the government of Prime Minister Yahya Ould Ahmed El Waghef, despite Waghef's consultations with opposition parties regarding the formation of a government.[5]

The RFD supported the military coup d'état of August 6, 2008. Daddah described the coup as "a movement to rectify the democratic process" and alleged that the 2007 presidential election was "marked by fraud".[6]

The RFD is an observer member of the Socialist International.[7]

References
  1. "Mauritania: Update to MRT39363.E of 25 September 2002 on the Union of Democratic Forces-New Era (Union des forces démocratiques-Ère nouvelle, UFD-EN) and its successor, the Rally of Democratic Forces (Rassemblement des forces démocratiques, RFD), including the treatment of its members by government authorities (2002-October 2004)", Responses to Information Requests, Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada, UNHCR.org.
  2. "Mauritanian opposition leader claims victory", DPA (IOL), November 21, 2006.
  3. "Le conseil constitutionnel proclame les résultats du premier tour de l'élection présidentielles du 11 mars 2007", Agence Mauritanienne d'Information, March 15, 2007 (in French).
  4. "Le Conseil constitutionnel proclame les résultats des élections présidentielles" Archived December 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, AMI, March 29, 2007 (in French).
  5. "Le RFD décide de ne pas participer au futur gouvernement" Archived 2008-05-14 at the Wayback Machine, AMI, May 9, 2008 (in French).
  6. "Mauritania coup leader in talks to form new government" Archived May 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, AFP, August 13, 2008.
  7. "Socialist International welcomes release of Mauritanian opposition leader", Socialist International, February 4, 2005.
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