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In August 2005, the military took over in a coup d'état that ousted sitting President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya, who had been reigning for 21 years. The Foreign Minister maintained that the coup was seen as the only option after more than a decade of instability, poverty, and failed attempts at democracy.

The Foreign Minister acknowledged that Mauritania’s political and economic problems are not unusual on the African continent, and that there have been many coups whose leaders promise reform but end up retaining dictatorial power. However, he reassured the audience that this coup would not end in the same fashion. Within weeks after the military council seized power they passed a constitutional decree that disqualified members of the military council and provisional government from running in the elections; this measure was taken to guarantee that the military would not stay in power and that the subsequent elections would be considered legitimate.

Despite this measure, Sid’ Ahmed acknowledged that many are still skeptical of a positive outcome and therefore emphasized a number of steps that the military council is undertaking to help Mauritania make a peaceful transition to democracy. The council has scheduled a gradual election program, starting with a vote on a constitutional amendment that would restrict the presidency to five years and allow only one subsequent re-election. This vote is scheduled for June 24, followed by local and district elections in November 2006, Senate elections in January 2007 and the presidential election in March 2007. The council is establishing an independent electoral convention that will create a network of committees and independent groups to oversee the election processes, along with international observers provided by the UN. The Foreign Minister said that these measures would lead to fair and transparent elections while demonstrating that the military council’s rhetoric is sincere.

Sid’ Ahmed also emphasized the importance of achieving transparency in management, especially with the advent of Mauritania’s oil exploitation. Mauritania is now undertaking a transparency initiative with the World Bank, which will be public knowledge and will help create a framework that will limit corruption. The Foreign Minister signaled that this action was just one of the ways in which Mauritania is seeking to achieve legitimacy in the international community.

Sid’ Ahmed also noted that the military council has increased communication with Mauritania’s neighboring countries in efforts to gain support for this transition and quell any former disputes. The Foreign Minister reminded the audience about Mauritania’s cooperation with the US in the War on Terror, and offered assurance that Mauritania’s strategic relationship with Israel would continue.

Foreign Minster Sid’ Ahmed's message culminated with optimism about what democracy and the new positive changes would bring for the people of Mauritania. He concluded his speech by saying: “by the end of May [2007] we will have an elected president and government, and the military and I will step down.”