ale: 26.3%

Government
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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