Mauritania ? The junta that took control of Mauritania two years ago held promised elections Sunday, but some residents were not hopeful for lasting democracy with a former dictator and a failed coup leader on the ballot.

“Things have clearly changed. But you still have that fear that the old regime might come back,” said 30-year-old Internet cafe owner Yacoub Abdallahi.

Mauritania has been ruled since August 2005 by Col. Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, who led a bloodless coup that ousted ex-president Maaoya Sid’Ahmed Ould Taya and ended a 21-year dictatorship.

Power in the impoverished, desert nation in northwest Africa has never changed hands at the ballot box, although past elections have been held by dictators amid widespread allegations of fraud. The country has experienced 10 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1960.

Although a final tally is not expected for days, international monitors said early reports indicated the voting had been fair and transparent in the mostly Muslim Arab country.

Interior Minister Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lamine said early results indicate that 60 percent of the nation’s record 1.1 million registered voters cast ballots.