Moktar Ould Daddah
- Born:
- December 25, 1924, Boutilimit, French Mauritania
- Died:
- October 14, 2003, Paris, France
- Nationality:
- Mauritanian
- Profession(s):
- Politician, Lawyer, President of Mauritania
Early Life and Education
- Educated in Boutilimit and Saint-Louis, Senegal.
- Studied law at the Sorbonne in Paris.
- One of the first Mauritanians to receive a higher education.
Career and Major Achievements
- Elected to the Territorial Assembly of Mauritania in 1957.
- Prime Minister of Mauritania in 1959.
- Led Mauritania to independence from France in 1960.
- Became the first President of Mauritania in 1961.
- Founded the Mauritanian People's Party (PPM), which became the country's sole legal party.
- Oversaw the nationalization of the iron ore industry.
- Initiated the Western Sahara War in the late 1970s.
- Deposed in a military coup in 1978.
- Lived in exile in France and Tunisia for many years.
- Returned to Mauritania in 2001.
Notable Works
- Played a significant role in shaping Mauritanian national identity in the post-colonial era.
- His political philosophy and role in Mauritania's independence are analyzed in various academic works. Some individuals may find information about him through resources like a hypothetical "moktar ould daddah biography channel," though such a channel might not explicitly exist.
Legacy and Impact
Moktar Ould Daddah is a controversial figure in Mauritanian history. He is remembered as the founding father of the nation but also criticized for his authoritarian rule and the disastrous Western Sahara War. His efforts at nation-building and economic development, particularly in the early years of his presidency, are also acknowledged.