Mauritania

Independent since 1960, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania has a semi-presidential regime as per the country’s Constitution of 1991. In 2007 Mauritania witnessed the election of the first civilian to the Presidency, while the elections of 2019 saw a peaceful transition of power with the election of Mohamed Ould Cheick Mohamed Ahmed Ould Ghazouani. The country’s latest presidential elections occurred on 29th of June 2024, amidst a difficult regional context. Over the last decade, the Sahel region has experienced a continuously deteriorating security situation due to a surge in terrorist attacks, which in turn has had dire repercussion on the political stability in the West African region. Yet, untouched by the recent wave of unconstitutional changes of governments, which occurred in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger and Gabon, Mauritania remains a bulwark of constitutionalism in the area.

The Constitutional Council of Mauritania and civil society are to play a leading role in the promotion and protection of fundamental rights in this context of crisis. According to Mauritania’s Constitution, the mandate of the Constitutional Council is to oversee the regularity of general elections and operations of referendums and to review the constitutionality of laws. The Constitutional Council of Mauritania has thus been supporting the slow democratization of Mauritania’s political life over time. In addition, civil society organisations, including women’s rights groups, are key justice-seekers and rule of law advocates, thus playing a fundamental role in strengthening the reach and accessibility of constitutional law in Mauritania.

The Foundation’s activities in Mauritania involve the provision of technical legal advice and capacity building for a range of actors from the justice sector, including the Constitutional Council of Mauritania and a number of civil society organisations.

• Strengthening the Reach and Accessibility of Constitutional Justice in Mauritania