Former president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz appears in court facing charges that include abuse of office, influence peddling, money laundering and illicit enrichment.
The appointment comes hours after Ismail Ould Cheikh Sidiya and his entire government resigned without giving any reason amid an investigation into alleged high-level corruption.
Although the ruling party candidate won the first democratic transition to power since 1960, he's also a close confidante of his predecessor who came to power after instigating a coup in 2008.
Mauritania's electoral commission has proclaimed ruling party candidate Mohamed Ould Ghazouani winner with 52 percent of votes in a presidential election the previous day.
As Ould Abdel Aziz steps down after two terms, will his close ally Ould Cheikh Mohamed Ahmed Ghazouani take over in a country that has been wracked by coups since 1978?
A record 98 parties will take part in legislative, regional and local elections for which more than 1.4 million people are registered. Potential run-off elections would take place on September 15.
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