I’m watching this very closely, because it’s so interesting and complex a situation. Seventeen soldiers stage a coup while President Taya is out of the country, people rejoice in the streets, and everything goes back to normal. There’s more to it than that, but the normalcy is what makes it such an interesting case. The new military junta did make some maneuvers, however.

Noukchott – The army officers who seized power in Mauritania moved to strengthen their hold on the arid northwest African country on Thursday, dissolving parliament but keeping the ministers of deposed leader Maaouiya Ould Taya at their posts.

In a statement broadcast on national radio, the coup leaders’ military council for justice and democracy also said the previous constitution would be maintained, although supplemented by a “military council charter”.

So parliament has been dissolved, but the constitution, same ministers, local councils, and institutions are still in place. The new government is also not indicating that there will be any changes in foreign policy, important with regard to the United States and Israel, and that it will help boost civic institutions so that elections can take place in two years.

Every single country and international organization is denouncing the coup, especially the United States.

“We oppose any attempts by rogue elements to change governments through extra-constitutional or violent means,” he said. “As I understand it, the situation on the ground is still fluid but the Military Council for Justice and Democracy as it is calling itself, appears to be in control in the capital. Certainly we intend to work closely with the African Union and the U.N. and other regional and international partners to restore constitutional rule to Mauritania as quickly as possible.”

Sorry, but I find this rather hypocritical given that President Taya himself came to power in an unconstitutional coup, not to mention that every single election he ever won was rigged. I would hardly consider him legit, though apparently all that matters is that the international community believes he is.

Of course, there are legitimate concerns. Coups have a tendency to provoke more coups, which is a very populist slippery slope that can render the idea of constitutionalism obsolete. However, it’s already hard enough to take a government and constitution seriously when it is constantly abused. I’d say that this is a more dangerous threat.

My recommendation is that the U.S. continue to work with Mauritania on breaking up terrorist cells while pressuring the new military council into achieving what it is promising to do. Right now, we can only take them at their word, but they will ultimately have to be judged by their actions. Making sure this happens will be the best thing for stability and helping to rid the country of the extremists the U.S. government is most worried about right now.

UPDATE: All Things Conservative has more information on the leanings of the military council, which is being described as pro-France, liberal, and representing several tribal sects. But he also notes that the Islamic movements welcomed the coup, which could be worrying. At this point, I think they’d welcome anything other than Taya, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the military council will be influenced by them. They are, indeed, made up of Taya’s inner circle. So I’m with him: cautious optimism.