Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has granted a presidential pardon to nine prisoners (eight men and one woman) convicted of extremism and terrorism. Among those benefiting from this measure are some of the perpetrators of the Aleg attack, which killed four French tourists in 2007.

A written commitment at the heart of liberation

This decision follows the recent publication of a "manifesto of repentance" signed by fourteen Salafist prisoners. In this document, the detainees formally commit to:

1. Respect the security of institutions, property and people.
2. Asking for forgiveness for crimes and "mistakes" committed in the past.

Two months ago, the commission of ulema — tasked with conducting ideological dialogue with prisoners — recommended the release of those whose repentance was deemed “proven”.

The success of the dialogue approach

For the Mauritanian presidency, this measure validates the national deradicalization strategy. For several years, the country has prioritized discussions in prisons between ulema (Muslim scholars) and radicalized inmates in order to encourage them to revise their ideological beliefs.

Five individuals deemed too dangerous remain in custody.

Of the fourteen signatories of the manifesto, five remain in prison . Authorities deemed their profiles too high a risk to public safety. Among them are:

1. El Khadim Ould Semmane , the leader of the Ansar Al-Din organization in Mauritania.
2. Some death row inmates linked to the 2007 Aleg bombing.