Zeine Zeidane
South Africa- Early Life and Education
- Banking and Economic Career
- Presidential Candidacy and Election
- Prime Ministership
Early Life and Education
Zine El Abidine Ould Zeidane was born in Tamchekett, Mauritania. He studied in Nouakchott, the administrative and economic capital of Mauritania, and later at the University of Nice in France. Zeidane briefly taught at the University of Nice before returning to his home country and joining the University of Nouakchott.
Banking and Economic Career
Zeidane began his career in banking. In 2000, he joined the World Bank. Later, he served as an economic advisor to President Maouiya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya of Mauritania. On July 26, 2004, Taya appointed Zeidane Governor of the Central Bank of Mauritania.
Zeidane was one of the few government ministers who remained in their positions after a military coup in August 2005. However, in September 2006, he resigned as Governor to pursue his presidential bid.
Presidential Candidacy and Election
On December 18, 2006, Zeidane announced his candidacy for the presidency. He ran as an independent candidate and was the youngest contender in the election held on March 11, 2007. Zeidane secured 15.28% of the votes, finishing third in the election.
On March 17, he pledged his support to Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi in the second round of the election. Abdallahi emerged victorious in the runoff election on March 25, 2007.
Prime Ministership
On April 20, 2007, the day after his inauguration, Abdallahi appointed Zeidane as Prime Minister. Zeidane took office on April 21. A week later, he announced a new 28-member government composed of technical and technocratic experts, most of whom were relatively unknown to the public. Three ministers were members of the People's Progressive Alliance led by Messaoud Ould Boulkheir, another presidential candidate who had also supported Abdallahi in the runoff election.
Zeidane tendered his resignation on May 6, 2008. Abdallahi accepted the resignation and appointed Yahya Ould Ahmed El Waghef as Ziedane's successor the same day.
