Politics & Government Guide in Mauritania

Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions

Mauritania is a presidential republic led by President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, re-elected in 2024, with his El Insaf party holding a majority in the unicameral National Assembly. Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay heads a coalition government formed in August 2024 and expanded in 2025. The country maintains relative political stability following recent elections, though challenges persist with executive dominance and limited press freedom.

Government Type

Presidential republic

Legal System

Mixed legal system of French civil law and Islamic law

Head of State

President Mohamed Ould Cheikh el Ghazouani(since 2019)

Head of Government

Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay(El Insaf)since 2024

Legislature

Type:unicameral

Lower House:National Assembly (176 seats)

Major Political Parties

Equity Party(El Insaf)

Centrist

107 seats

Tawassoul(Tawassoul)

Islamist

11 seats

Union for Democracy and Progress(UDP)

Center-right

10 seats

Voting Rights

Universal suffrage for citizens aged 18 and older

Recent Developments

President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani re-elected in June 2024 presidential election
Mokhtar Ould Djay appointed Prime Minister on 2 August 2024
Partial cabinet reshuffle on 18 September 2025 with Union for Democracy and Progress joining the coalition
Mauritania joined the Partnership for Information and Democracy in December 2024

Voting Age18

SuffrageUniversal

Constitution1991

Regions15