Al-Ali was born disabled in 1992, in one of the interior regions of Mauritania, and the disability was not serious for him in his childhood, because he could sit up, and with his age, his bones began to harden, rendering him unable to move.
Al-Ali became interested in politics at an early age, joining one of the country’s largest opposition parties. He became one of the most prominent influencers on the social networking site “Facebook”, followed by more than 90,000 people.
His notoriety on Facebook allowed him to receive large sums of money, after his disability prevented him from working.
Al-Ali told Sky News Arabia: “My family supported the idea of me running for parliament, and when I announced it on Facebook, the party I belonged to contacted me to support this step. J aspired to reach decision-making positions, because I’m obsessed with politics.”
He adds: “People with special needs will be my first concern if elected, as I know very well the marginalization, exclusion and intimidation that this group is exposed to, such as what was happening to me. I will be a vote for all the marginalized, and I will continue to do politics, even if I am not elected.” electoral.”
Two seats for disabled people
Earlier this year, the Mauritanian parliament approved amendments to a number of election-related bills, as part of the political agreement signed between the government and the political parties, which was signed last September.
The amendments included the addition of a new national youth list, consisting of 11 seats, including at least two seats for people with special needs. As a result, competition for these two seats has intensified, especially among influencers in this segment.
Among the competitors is Sayed Ahmed Ould Ali, 47, born with a disability and one of his feet. Sayed Ahmed is a media professional, working with a public media outlet and started getting involved in politics months ago.
Sayed Ahmed told Sky News Arabia that he lacked “his personal conviction, through a party that has a serious political project”.
And Syed Ahmed points out that the possibility of “winning this election is slim because of the competition, and he decided to embark on this adventure anyway”.
And he adds in his speech that he “will continue in politics, even if he is not elected, to defend the simple, and the needy, in particular”.
Two places are not enough
Allocating just two seats in parliament to this forgotten segment of the margin is not enough, according to some election participants, who spoke to Sky News Arabia.
Among them is Muhammad Ahmed Islam, whose disability did not prevent him from running an “electronic” media institution, and from practicing politics, in which he has been involved for more than 10 years.
Islamo’s son became disabled two years after his birth because he had not been vaccinated against poliomyelitis.
Weld Islamou told Sky News Arabia: “Two seats are not enough for people with special needs, who make up a large percentage of Mauritanian society. It was right to give them at least 5 or more seats.”
He added: “Through my candidacy in these elections, I seek to make the voices of the oppressed heard, and those with special needs in particular. I also seek, if elected, to bring them into decision-making positions and the position they deserve. .”
The electoral campaign for women, municipal and regional parliamentarians began on April 28, with the participation of 25 political parties. Voters must go to the polls to vote on Saturday, corresponding to May 13.
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