The Max Planck Foundation recently conducted a collaborative workshop focused on constitutionalism and political party regulation in Mauritania, in partnership with the Mauritanian Centre for Legal, Economic and Social Studies and Research (CMERJES).
Held in Nouakchott, Mauritania, on 19–20 May 2025, the workshop was titled “Constitutionalism and Inclusive Representation: Political Party Regulation in Mauritania and Comparative Experiences.” This two-day event provided a platform for legal scholars, policymakers, researchers, and civil society representatives to engage in technical discussions about the evolving legal and constitutional framework governing political parties in Mauritania, alongside insights from various global and African contexts.
The workshop was officially opened by Dr Mohamed Maatalla, Dean of the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences and Professor Mohamed Dah Abdelkader, President of CMERJES. Throughout the workshop, leading experts from CMERJES and the Foundation delivered a series of thematic presentations covering a range of topics, including the conceptual foundations of constitutionalism and political party regulation, the evolving legal requirements for forming political parties in Mauritania, comparative approaches to party regulation, and the challenges and opportunities of rationalising party structures.
Special sessions also focused on the role of political parties and civil society in promoting democracy, the justifications for constitutional regulation, and the prospects of strengthening democratic governance within Mauritania’s new legal framework for political parties. Notably, one key segment examined the judiciary’s role in ensuring political party pluralism, highlighting comparative lessons and a detailed analysis of the Mauritanian context.
The presentations were followed by open plenary discussions, allowing participants to exchange perspectives and discuss practical implications for the Mauritanian legal system. The workshop concluded with a reflective session emphasising the importance of ongoing technical cooperation and knowledge exchange to support democratic reforms and constitutional governance in Mauritania and beyond.
This workshop is part of a broader initiative to enhance the reach and accessibility of constitutional justice in Mauritania, which is generously funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.