 The military dictatorship said it would remain in power for two years in order to allow time for implementing democratic institutions.In August 2005, a military coup led by Col. Ely Ould Mohamed Vall ended Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya's 21 years of strong-arm rule.On August 3, the Mauritanian military, including members of the presidential guard, seized control of key points in the capital of Nouakchott.