Mauritania Follow-Up

Following up on this story from yesterday, apparently it's business as usual in Mauritania.

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AP) -- Shops and businesses reopened and traffic was flowing again in Mauritania's capital Thursday, just a day after a military junta toppled the oil-rich country's autocratic president while he was abroad.

The quick return to calm -- Nouakchott's international airport also reopened -- indicated acceptance of President Maaouya Taya's bloodless overthrow in a nation more accustomed to coups than democracy.

The ouster of Taya, who himself seized power in a coup, had prompted celebrations in the Islamic nation that had looked increasingly to the West amid alleged threats from al Qaeda-linked militants.

The new junta promised to yield to democratic rule within two years, but African leaders, the United States and the European Union condemned the coup. African leaders declared the days of authoritarianism and military rule must end across the continent.

This makes sense. Even though this could actually signal the establishment of stability and truly representative government in Mauritania, nobody in the international community can with good conscience say anything that would encourage more military coups. After all, if there's one way to establish a corrupt government in Africa, it's by carrying out a military coup.

If history teaches us anything, it's that the Military Council for Justice and Democracy will more than likely turn into a military dictatorship. Even so, I'll remain optimistic for the time being, and keep my eye on the story as it continues to develop. Hopefully I can get periodic updates from my friend in the Peace Corps, who just left for Mauritania a month ago.