On August 26, the RFD, the Alliance for Justice and Democracy - Movement for Renovation (AJD-MR), and the Movement for Direct Democracy (MDD) announced their decision to not participate in the new government that was being formed under the junta"Three parties refuse to join Mauritanian government" , AFP, August 26, 2008. because the junta had not clarified whether or not someone serving in the military would be allowed to stand as a presidential candidate"Mauritanian junta announces formation of a government" , AFP, September 1, 2008. and had not specified how long it intended to remain in power. The new government led by Laghdaf was appointed on August 31"Composition du nouveau gouvernement", AMI, August 31, 2008 . and announced on television early on September 1. This government was composed of 28 members, aside from Laghdaf,"Mauritania's Ruling body forms maiden Cabinet", African Press Agency, September 1, 2008. and its members were considered to be politically obscure technocrats."New Mauritanian govt sparks mixed reactions" , AFP, September 1, 2008. The government included several members of the RFD, despite that party's refusal to participate; the RFD responded by saying that the RFD members who had accepted posts in the government had "automatically resigned" from the party by doing so.
