Politics of Mauritania

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Politics of Mauritania
Member State of the Arab League
Constitution Human rights Slavery
Government President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani Prime Minister Mohamed Ould Bilal
Parliament National Assembly President
Administrative divisions Regions Departments Communes
Elections Recent elections Presidential: 2014 2019 2024 Parliamentary: 2013 2018 2023 Political parties Electoral districts
Foreign relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister: Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed Diplomatic missions of / in Mauritania Passport Visa requirements Visa policy
Mauritania portal Other countries
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Mauritania is a presidential democracy, but has suffered from repeated military coups since its independence in November 1960. For 18 years after independence, Mauritania was a one-party state under Moktar Ould Daddah. This was followed by decades of military rule. The first fully democratic presidential election in Mauritania occurred on 11 March 2007, which marked a transfer from military to civilian rule following the military coup in 2005. The election was won by Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, who was ousted by another military coup in 2008 and replaced by general Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. Mauretania underwent its first peaceful transition of power after the 2019 presidential election, although this was between two presidents of the ruling UPR party and former army generals.

Personalities have long exercised an important influence in the politics of Mauritania - the effective exercise of political power in the country depends on control over resources; perceived ability or integrity; and tribal, ethnic, family, and personal considerations. Conflict between white Moor, black Moor, and non-Moor ethnic groups, centering on language, land tenure, and other issues, continues to pose challenges to the idea of national unity.