Horma Ould Babana

Born on 1 March 1912 in Mederdra,[3][1] Babana studied the Quran and Arabic language and literature. He was educated in Saint-Louis, Senegal. Babana's mother and neighbours were concerned that when he left his village, he would lose his cultural identity and support the French colonists. After completing his studies at age 27, he taught briefly before becoming a French translator throughout Mauritania for ten years. When Babana clashed with French officers in Atar over their harassment of Mauritanian women at a dance, he was fired, fined and exiled to Niger.

After learning the requirements of the French Fourth Republic constitution, in October 1946 Babana nominated himself in the French Socialist Party. He gained the support of Senegalese socialists, the best-known of whom were Leopold Senghor and Lee Min Ki. Babana defeated his main opponent, Frenchwoman Yvonne Razak, by a 63-percent majority. He headed the Mauritanian Entente, the territory's first political party, which was founded in 1946.

He advocated an effective water policy, including dams, wells and water tanks; all-season roads, enabling reliable connection to Morocco and Senegal, and bilingual (Arabic and French) education. Babana supported full independence for Mauritania and the demarcation (and adjustment) of its border with Mali. He abolished forced labour, personal taxes and the compulsory billeting of French soldiers. Babana proposed amending education laws in French West Africa and laws governing workers in West African hospitals.

Arab leaders and politicians welcome Babana in 1950.

In the French parliament, he opposed the division of Palestine and the recognition of Israel. Babana pressured France to withhold aid to Israel, and supported freedom for the Maghreb. He began an investigation of the French government's role in a 6 May 1947 massacre in Moramanga, Madagascar. Babana, concerned about fiscal policy, supported higher salaries for workers and tax exemption for farmers. He also supported the Marshall Plan, collective-bargaining agreements and reformation of electoral system. Babana wanted to limit the French military budget and establish health centers and schools throughout Mauritania. Despite his opposition to Israel, he was a supporter of Léon Blum.

In the 1951 and 1956 elections, Babana's Mauritanian Entente was defeated by the Mauritanian Progressive Union. He and several followers fled to Morocco during the summer of 1956, where he led the National Council of Mauritanian Resistance. The group supported Moroccan claims to Mauritania and opposed Mauritanian independence. At the May 1958 Congress of Aleg, the Mauritanian Regroupment Party was formed in a merger of the Mauritanian Progressive Union, elements of the Mauritanian Entente opposed to Babana and the Gorgol Democratic Bloc. After two assassination attempts, he went to Switzerland and then to Egypt.

Although Babana lived in Morocco and Saudi Arabia, he wanted to return to Mauritania. When he returned, he settled in Nouakchott and built a house there in 1974. He also built a house in Tmbiela, where he died on 7 July 1979.[1] Babana is buried in Tmbiela, between his father and grandfather.