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Mauritania

Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Mixed (Islamic law and French civil law)Unitary presidential republicReviewed· 2026-08-03
Capital
Nouakchott
Population
4,900,000
Languages
Arabic, French
Currency
MRU

Mauritania · Constitution

Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Adopted by referendum in 1991 and amended in 2006, 2012 and 2017, when the Senate was abolished and replaced by regional councils. Declares Islam the religion of the people and the state and the sole source of law.

The constitutional text

Adopted by referendum in 1991 and amended in 2006, 2012 and 2017, when the Senate was abolished and replaced by regional councils. Declares Islam the religion of the people and the state and the sole source of law.

Separation of powers

Presidential system with a President elected for five years, a unicameral National Assembly since the 2017 abolition of the Senate, and a judiciary that includes Sharia jurisdiction in personal status and certain criminal matters.

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