Government spokesperson: The Rumors about the Deal Between the Army and the Ministry of Health come From Parties that lost the Contract

The Minister of Culture, Communication, Arts, and Parliamentary Relations, Government Spokesperson Mr. El Houssein Ould Medou, denied what some media outlets reported about the presence of corruption in the deal between the National Army and the Ministry of Health, affirming that the matter is related to statements from parties that lost the deal due to not adhering to what they had agreed upon with the Ministry of Health.

In his response to a question on the matter, while commenting on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting this evening, Wednesday, at the press Hall of the Mauritanian News Agency headquarters in Nouakchott, alongside the Miniser of Youth Empowerment, Employment, Sports, and Civil Service, and the Minister of Education and Education System Reform, He  affirmed that the Ministry of Health, after the first party breached its contractual obligations, swiftly awarded the contract to the army to provide the service to citizens in a legal manner.

The Minister emphasized the need to exercise caution in publishing everything related to the National Army, keeping it away from rumors and controversies, affirming that government authorities resort to it in concluding deals to expedite project implementation on one hand, and to rationalize public funds on the other.

Regarding the upcoming visit of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, to the city of Kiffa next Friday, the Minister explained that the visit aims to inaugurate the four sections of the Hope Road, after the entire 1,200 km road was renovated for the first time, except for a few dozen kilometers. He will also inaugurate a fiber optic line to ensure communication services are provided after securing them in all border areas.

He added that the visit will conclude with the laying of the foundation stone for a vital project that has long concerned the residents, which involves providing drinking water to more than 70 communities in the region by transferring water from Krei to Kiffa, noting that the projects have not stopped at the Nouakchott modernization programs and access to basic services for local development, but rather the inauguration of major projects in the country continues.

Regarding the Mada’in Heritage Festival in Ouadane, the government spokesperson confirmed that the 14th edition of the festival will be held from the 19th to the 23rd of the current month. All measures have been taken to organize a distinguished edition, including communication with the residents and the state’s response to their requests, such as providing water, enhancing infrastructure, and supporting associations.

He added that the other components of the festival (scientific and cultural) have been increased, as a heritage city will be established for the first time, and it will be inaugurated by the President of the Republic. Many international figures working in the field of culture will also attend the festival’s events.

In turn,  the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Employment, Sports, and Civil Service, Mr. Mohamed Abdoullah Ould Louly, said that the statement regarding the establishment of the local framework for consultation with youth is the first of the eight decisions taken by His Excellency the President of the Republic during the Youth Conference held on November 22, 2025, in Nouakchott, which marked a turning point in the path of youth empowerment, embodying his commitment that this term is a term for the youth and with the youth.

Regarding the regional level, the Minister said that the council will include young people who received the highest number of votes, chaired by the state governor and with the membership of the president of the regional council of the state. He confirmed that the council will meet every three months to align developmental issues and raise them to the national level, then submit a report on them every six months to the Council of Ministers, and hold a youth conference every two years.

For her part, the Minister of Education and Educational System Reform, Mrs. Huda Babah, said during her comments on the statement regarding the President’s Award for Excellence in Education and the National Day of the Republican School, which is commemorated every year on the fifth of December, that this year the sector has raised the financial value of the President’s Award and the number of beneficiaries in consultation with the unions to 500,000 Ouguiya for the award. The number of beneficiaries this year reached 500, compared to 200 beneficiaries last year, and the award amount was 360,000 Ouguiya last year.

The Minister praised the President’s Award, not only for its monetary value but also for its moral value in motivating excellence and for its significant role in creating a competitive atmosphere. She pointed out that commemorating the fifth of December (the National Republic School Day) serves as an opportunity to carry out various activities, such as school tree planting, reviewing achieved accomplishments, and exploring new requirements.

She praised the achievements in the field of education since the establishment of the Republic School until now, such as the recruitment of thousands of teachers, the construction and renovation of thousands of classrooms, the establishment of teachers’ housing, along with the historic speech of the President of the Republic in Adel Bekrou appreciating the teaching profession, which was practically implemented in the last Independence Day speech by announcing an increase of 20,000 old ouguiyas in the chalk allowance.