Mauritania Reappoints Prime Minister After Report on Nouakchott Power Substation Fires

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania — Mauritania’s Prime Minister Mohamed Ould Cheikh was reappointed on Friday, just hours after submitting his resignation following a critical report into fires at two major electricity substations in the capital, Nouakchott.

President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani met with the outgoing prime minister and tasked him with forming a new government, allowing him to remain in office despite the controversy surrounding the power disruptions.

The resignation followed an independent commission’s findings that identified serious weaknesses in the prevention of electrical incidents, equipment protection, supervision of technical works and emergency response.

Substation fires caused widespread power outages

The fires broke out on August 21 and 22, affecting transformer substations operated by the Mauritanian Electricity Company, known as Somelec, in Nouakchott and its surrounding areas.

The incidents triggered extensive power outages across the capital and affected the towns of Ouad Naga, Idini and Aouleigat. Some areas reportedly remained without electricity for between three and five days.

The prolonged disruptions affected residents and businesses, renewing questions about the reliability of electricity infrastructure and the preparedness of the authorities to respond to major technical emergencies.

Independent inquiry identifies equipment concerns

According to the commission’s report, the fires were linked to electrical connectors that did not meet the required technical standards and had been imported by a private company.

Investigators connected the incidents to three recently installed electricity transmission lines, identifying overheating as the most likely explanation for the fires.

The report said it found serious shortcomings in preventive measures, electrical protection systems, supervision of the work and emergency management.

It did not identify sabotage as the likely cause, instead pointing to technical and oversight failures associated with the equipment and installation process.

The commission held the private company involved and officials at the Energy Ministry responsible for the incidents, raising questions about procurement controls, technical inspections and the enforcement of electricity infrastructure standards.

Reappointment puts government accountability in focus

The prime minister’s resignation and swift reappointment have brought renewed attention to the government’s response to the electricity crisis and the implications of the commission’s findings.

Although the president has tasked him with forming a new government, the report’s conclusions leave questions about accountability, the enforcement of technical standards and measures to prevent similar incidents.

The case also highlights the importance of independent oversight of critical infrastructure, particularly where equipment failures can disrupt essential services for thousands of households and businesses.

The next steps will include addressing the shortcomings identified by the commission and strengthening safeguards around electrical equipment, installation works and emergency response systems.

For Mauritania, restoring public confidence will depend not only on resuming reliable electricity services but also on demonstrating that the findings of the inquiry lead to effective corrective measures.