PH
Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz has unveiled the country’s new flag, which was redesigned after a referendum in August. The constitutional amendments voted in by the poll also abolished the Senate and changed the national anthem.
The new flag will include two red strips — one on the top and one on the bottom of the flag — to symbolize the blood of patriots in the country’s struggle against their French colonizers.
In scenes aired live on state-run Mauritanian TV from independence day celebrations in the province of Gorgol, Mr Abdel Aziz watched the new flag being raised, after greeting military and political officials.
The new national anthem was sung as the flag was raised. Its lyrics address the country:
“We will protect your blood, we sacrifice for you.
“We will paint the entire country with the colour of hope. And when you call, we answer.
“We’ve taken a vow, we’ve taken an oath to you.
“We joyfully gift you to the next generation.”
Opposition parties have protested both the new anthem and flag, having boycotted the referendum, which saw an overwhelming ‘yes’ vote.
Some have criticised the fact the new anthem, which was supposed to be a celebration of Mauritania, was composed by an Egyptian.
