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.); its name derives from the Mauri (Moors) 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.

The flag

The National flag of Mauritania has .

The National Anthem

Title
Lyric/music

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 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
Amendment process	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
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
Election/appointment process	president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president
Most recent election date	29 June 2024
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%
Expected date of next election	June 2029
Legislative branch
Legislature name	Parliament (Barlamane)
Legislative structure	Unicameral
Chamber name	National Assembly (Al Jamiya-Al-Wataniya)
Number of seats	176 (all directly elected)
Electoral system	Mixed system
Scope of elections	Full renewal
Term in office	5 years
Most recent election date	5/13/2023 to 5/27/2023
Percentage of women in chamber	23.3%
Expected date of next election	May 2028
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)	Supreme Court or Cour Suprême (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 (vacant); John T. ICE Chargé d’Affaires (since July 2024)
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)