The Government of Mauritania - The World Countries

Mauritania - Government

Based on the etymolgy of Mauritania, it was named for the ancient kingdom of Mauretania (3rd century B.C. to 1st century A.D.) and the subsequent Roman province (1st-7th centuries A.D.), which existed further north in present-day Morocco; the name derives from the Mauri (Moors), the Berber-speaking peoples of northwest Africa. The Government system in this country is the presidential republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 15 regions (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott Nord, Nouakchott Ouest, Nouakchott Sud, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza

National symbols

Five-pointed star between the horns of a horizontal crescent moon; national colors: green, yellow.

The flag

The National flag of Mauritania has green with a yellow, five-pointed star between the horns of a yellow, upward-pointing crescent moon; red stripes along the top and bottom edges; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; green also represents hope for a bright future; the yellow color stands for the sands of the Sahara; red symbolizes the blood shed in the struggle for independence.

The National Anthem

Title	"Bilāda l-ʾubāti l-hudāti l-kirām" (Land of the Proud, Guided by Noblemen)
Lyric/music	unknown/traditional, Rageh DAOUD

note: adopted 28 November 2017, preceded by "National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania"

More about the government of Mauritania

Constitution
Date of Independence	28 November 1960 (from France)
National holiday	Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Legal system	mixed legal system of Islamic and French civil law
International law organization participation	has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
History	Previous 1964; latest adopted 12 July 1991
Amendments	Proposed by the president of the republic or by Parliament; consideration of amendments by Parliament requires approval of at least one third of the membership; a referendum is held only if the amendment is approved by two-thirds majority vote; passage by referendum requires simple majority vote by eligible voters; passage of amendments proposed by the president can bypass a referendum if approved by at least three-fifths majority vote by Parliament; amended 2006, 2012, 2017
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth	no
Citizenship by descent only	at least one parent must be a citizen of Mauritania
Dual citizenship recognized	no
Residency requirement for naturalization	5 years
Executive Branch
Chief of state	President Mohamed Ould Cheikh el GHAZOUANI (since 1 August 2019)
Head of government	Prime Minister Moctar Ould DIAY (since 2 August 2024)
Cabinet	Council of Ministers - nominees suggested by the prime minister, appointed by the president
Elections/appointments	president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 29 June 2024 (next to be held in June 2029); prime minister appointed by the president
Election results	2024: Mohamed Ould Cheikh el GHAZOUANI reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Mohamed Ould Cheikh el GHAZOUANI (UPR) 56.1%, Biram Dah Ould ABEID (independent) 22.1%, Hamadi Sidi el MOKHTAR independent) 12.8%, other 9.0% 2019: Mohamed Ould Cheikh el GHAZOUANI elected president in first round; percent of vote - Mohamed Ould Cheikh el GHAZOUANI (UPR) 52%, Biram Dah Ould ABEID (independent) 18.6%, Sidi Mohamed Ould BOUBACAR (independent) 17.9%, other 11.5%
Legislative branch
Description	Bicameral Parliament or Barlamane consists of: Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats, 53 members elected for a six-year term by municipal councilors, with one third renewed every two years) National Assembly or Al Jamiya Al Wataniya (176 seats statutory; 88 members filled from one or two seat constituencies elected by a two-round majority system and the other 88 members filled from a single, nationwide constituency directly elected by proportional representation vote); 20 seats are reserved for women candidates in the nationwide constituency, 11 seats are reserved for young candidates (aged between 25 and 35), and 4 members directly elected by the diaspora; all members serve 5-year terms
Elections	Last held on 13 May 2023 with a second round on 27 May 2023 (next to be held in May 2028)
Election results	National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - El Insaf 107, Tawassoul 11, UDP 10, FRUD 7, El Islah 6, AND 6, El Karama 5, Nida Al-Watan 5, Sawab 5, AJD/MR 4, HIWAR 3, HATEM 3, El Vadila 2, UPC 1, Hakam 1; composition- men 135, women 41, percentage women 23.3%
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)	Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (subdivided into 7 chambers: 2 civil, 2 labor, 1 commercial, 1 administrative, and 1 criminal, each with a chamber president and 2 councilors); Constitutional Council (consists of 9 members); High Court of Justice (consists of 9 members)
Judge selection and term of office	Supreme Court president appointed by the president of the republic to serve a 5-year renewable term; Constitutional Council members appointed - 3 by the president of the republic, 2 by the president of the National Assembly, 1 by the prime minister, 1 by the leader of the democratic opposition, 1 by the largest opposition party in the National Assembly, and 1 by the second largest party in the National Assembly; members serve single, 9-year terms with one-third of membership renewed every 3 years; High Court of Justice members appointed by Parliament - 6 by the ruling Coalition of Majority Parties and 3 by opposition parties
Subordinate courts	Courts of Appeal; courts of first instance or wilya courts are established in the regions' headquarters and include commercial and labor courts, criminal courts, Moughataa (district) Courts, and informal/customary courts
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Cissé Mint Cheikh Ould BOIDE (since 15 September 2021)
Chancery	2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone	[1] (202) 232-5700
FAX	[1] (202) 319-2623
Email address and website	[email protected] mauritaniaembassyus.org – Mauritania Embassy washington
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Cynthia KIERSCHT (since 27 January 2021)
Embassy	Nouadhibou Road, Avenue Al Quds, NOT PRTZ, Nouakchott
Mailing address	2430 Nouakchott Place, Washington DC 20521-2430
Telephone	[222] 4525-2660
FAX	[222] 4525-1592
Email address and website	[email protected] https://mr.usembassy.gov/
National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites	2 (1 cultural, 1 natural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales	Ancient Ksour (Fortified Villages) of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt, and Oualata (c); Banc d'Arguin National Park (n)