Some three people have reportedly died in southern Mauritania after being arrested following riots in the country.

According to a statement by the government on Tuesday, the three were killed amid protests following the announced victory of outgoing President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani in the presidential election.

Ghazouani secured re-election with a comfortable margin, garnering 56.12 percent of the vote. The results were announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) this Monday.

Mauritanians went to the polls on Saturday to choose between seven candidates vying to lead the nation, which has largely withstood the tide of jihadism in the region and is set to become a gas producer.