Government
Name of country:
conventional long form:
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
conventional short form:
Mauritania
local long form:
Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah
local short form:
Muritaniyah
Data code:
MR
Type of government:
republic
Capital:
Nouakchott
Administrative divisions:
12 regions (regions, singular - region); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh el Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza
note:
there may be a new capital district of Nouakchott
Independence:
28 November 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Constitution:
12 July 1991
Legal system:
three-tier system: Islamic (Shari'a) courts, special courts, and state security courts (in the process of being eliminated)
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984) was reelected for a six-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 17 January 1992 (next to be held NA January 1998); results - President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA was reelected
head of government:
Prime Minister Cheikh El Afia Ould Mohamed KHOUNA (since NA January 1996) was appointed by the president
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature
Senate (Majlis al-Shuyukh):
elections last held 15 April 1994 (next to be held 12 April 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats (56 total, with 17 up for election every two years) PRDS 16, UFD/NE 1
National Assembly (Majlis al-Watani):
elections last held 6 and 13 March 1992 (next to be held NA March 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (79 total) UFD/NE 67, PMR 1, RDU 1, independents 10
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
legalized by constitution passed 12 July 1991, however, politics continue to be tribally based; emerging parties include Democratic and Social Republican Party (PRDS), led by President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed TAYA; Union of Democratic Forces-New Era (UFD/NE), headed by Ahmed Ould DADDAH; Assembly for Democracy and Unity (RDU), Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA; Popular Social and Democratic Union (UPSD), Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH; Mauritanian Party for Renewal (PMR), Hameida BOUCHRAYA; National Avant-Garde Party (PAN), Khattry Ould JIDDOU; Mauritanian Party of the Democratic Center (PCDM), Bamba Ould SIDI BADI
Other political or pressure groups:
Mauritanian Workers Union (UTM)
International organization participation:
ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ismail Ould IYAHI
chancery:
2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 232-5700
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Dorothy Myers SAMPAS
embassy:
address NA, Nouakchott
mailing address:
B. P. 222, Nouakchott
telephone:
[222] (2) 526-60, 526-63
FAX:
[222] (2) 515-92
Flag:
green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
