Mauritania celebrated the 14th anniversary of its independence on Thursday (28 November) with a Presidential announcement to nationalise the country's main iron mining company Milforma.

President Moktar Ould Daddah, in his address to the National Assembly, said the Government (with only five percent interest) was to nationalise the company capable of an output of about 12 million tons of high grade ore. Nationalisation was to take place almost immediately.

The President promised that all shareholders which included the British Steel Corporation (19 per cent), French interests (55 per cent) and Italian interests (15 per cent), would receive "fair compensation."
The announcement somewhat overshadowed this year's anniversary celebrations in the capital, Nouakchott. The highlights included traditional military and civilian ceremonies.

President Ould Daddah attended the main celebrations held at the capital.