Mauritania

This Page was last updated on the 7th August, 2008.

 

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Current News

A Coup took place on Wednesday 6th August 2008. The President had attempted to dismiss army chiefs in the morning. The head of the Presidential Guard, Gen Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz reacted by staging the coup and setting up a ruling council. As usual with such coups, free and fair elections are promised. The French newsagency AFP reported that both the President and the Prime Minister have been detained. This follows a breakdown of confidence in the government, with 48 MPs recently leaving the governing party. It was only a short while ago, on 19th April 2007, that Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdullahi took over as president of Mauritania after the highly successful presidential election that took place on Sunday 11th March. There had been no need to proceed to the second round of voting planned for 25th March. There were 19 candidates in the presidential election. The current president, Col. Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, is said by observers to have given the population a free election, aided by US$12 million donated by the UN. Only one candidate is a black Moor, the rest are more light skinned, reflecting the balence of power in the country.

On Sunday, 19th November 2006, almost a million citizens of Mauritanea were registered to vote for new members of the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, and for two hundred municipal council seats.  Islamist parties were banned from taking part and it is reported that many more moderate Islamists ran as independent candidates.  Independents made up 25% of the candidates for the Assembly. Turnout on the day was reported to be brisk.  When the results were announced, on 22 November, it was clear that a single candidate had won more than 50% of the vote in only 43 constituencies.  Thus outright winners were declared in only those 43 seats.  The remaining 53 constituencies took part in a second round of voting on 3rd December.  The Independent Electoral Commission estimated that 70% of voters cast their vote.  The overall result of the two rounds of voting (yet to be officially confirmed) show that the coalition of parties which opposed former President Maaouiya Ould Taya has won 41 out of 95 seats in the national Assembly.  The Independents have won 39.  A coalition seems inevitable, especially as the largest party, the RFD only has 15 seats.  The PRDR gained seven seats. A coalition would mean the independents would be split, as some are reported to be supporters of the previous regime and others, Islamists. The parliament will not sit until March 2007, when President Ely Ould Mohamed Vall has said he will stand down and a successor elected.  Before then, in January, elections will take place for the upper house of parliament, the Senate.

Official Name

Islamic Republic of Mauritania (Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah)
Former Name Mauritania (Bafours displaced by Berbers from North Africa 3rd-7th centuries; Almoravids finaly conquered southern Mauritania [defeated Ghana Empire] in 1076; Arabs eventually dominate Mauritania after the Mauritanian Thirty-Year War [1644-74]; French colonization at start of 20th century; independence from France and new capital city, Nouakchott, in 1960; the population remained nomadic [90%], over years sedentary black Africans began to return to southern Mauritania; more Sub-Saharan Africans moved into the area north of the Senegal River; Mauritania annexed southern third of Western Sahara [former Spanish Sahara] in 1976-79; Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for Western Sahara; Arabicization of country and reaction leads to intercommunal violence [‘1989 Events’] in April 1989; opposition parties legalized, new constitution approved in 1991; still one-party state dspite multiparty elections; ethnic tensions between its black minority and the dominant Arab-Berber population continues.)

Capital

Nouakchott

Main Towns

Atar (pop. 24,000), Kaedi (pop. 34,000), Kiffa (pop. 33,000), Nouadhibou (pop. 72,000), Nouakchott (pop. 708,000), Rosso (pop. 50,000), Zouerate (pop. 34,000)

Subdivisions

12 regions: Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza. 1 capital district: Nouakchott.

Independence

28 November 1960 (from France)

Constitution Approved 12 July 1991. Military rule 1978-1992. Original constitution promulgated 1961.
National Holiday Independence Day, 28 November (1960)

UN Membership

27 October 1961

OAU Membership

25 May 1963 – now African Union (AU)

Commonwealth

n/a

Other Organisations

In alphabetical order according to abbreviation/acronym: Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA), Agency for the French-Speaking Community (ACCT), Africa-Caribbean-Pacific-European Union (ACP-EU), African Development Bank (AfDB or AFDB), Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), Arab League (AL or League of Arab States), Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), Agency for Air Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA), Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU), Customs Cooperation Council (CCC), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Group of 77 at the United Nations (G-77), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM), International Development Association (IDA), Islamic Development Bank (IDB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS), International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO - pending member), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Maritime Organisation (IMO), International Telecommunications Satellite Organisation (Intelsat), International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Organisation for Migration (IOM - observer), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Non Aligned Movement (NAM), Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Organisation pour la Mise en Valeur du fleuve Sénégal (OMVS), Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Universal Postal Union (UPU), World Confederation of Labour (WCL), World Customs Organization (WCO, former Customs Cooperation Council [CCC]), World Health Organisation (WHO), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), World Tourism Organisation (WToO), World Trade Organisation (WTrO).

Population

World Bank Figures: 2,569,320 (1999), 2,645,000 (2000), 2,716,928 (2001), 2,784,686 (2002), 2,847,869 (2003)
Other Sources: 2,263,202 (July 1995), 2,747,312 (July 2001 est.), 2,912,584 (July 2003 est.) 3,086,859 (July 2005 est.)

Area

395,955 sq. mls. (1,025,520 sq. kms.)

Density

2 per sq.km. (1995)

Highest Point

Mt. Jill 3,002 ft. (915 m.)

Lowest Point

Sebkha de Ndrhamcha -10 ft. (-3 m.)

Neighbours

Algeria (NE), Mali (S & E), Senegal (SE), Western Sahara (NW)

Life Expectancy

51 years (1995), total population:  51.14 years, male:  49.06 years, female:  53.29 years (2001 est.)
total population: 51.93 years, male: 49.78 years, female: 54.13 years (2003 est.)
total population: 52.73 years male: 50.52 years female: 55 years (2005 est.)

Infant Mortality Rate total: 73.8 deaths/1,000 live births, female: 70.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.), male: 76.62 deaths/1,000 live births
total: 70.89 deaths/1,000 live births male: 73.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 67.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS

adult prevalence rate: 1.8% (2001 est.), 0.6% (2003 est.)
people living with HIV/AIDS: 6,600 (1999 est.), 9,500 (2003 est.)
deaths: 610 (2001 est.) less than 500 (2003 est.)

IRIN Plus News - HIV/AIDS Treatment Map: Mauritania - Updated: Sept 2004
Population: 2.8 million
HIV Prevalence Rate (%) 2003 End: 0.6
No. Of People living with HIV/AIDS: 10,000
No. Of People in need of ART: 130
No. Of People Currently On ART (Sep 04): 40
No. Of People on ART Public Sector: Not Defined
No. Of People on ART in Non Govt Programmes: Not Defined
No. Of People Exptd to be on ART (2005 End): 200
Front Line Drug Regimen: Nevirapine+Lamivudine+Stavudine
HIV/AIDS Treatment Sites: 2
Global Fund 2 Year Approved Funding (Round 2: Approved 04-Dec-03): Nil
Total Funds Disbursed By The Global Fund: Nil
Total Funds Disbursed By The World Bank Multi-Country HIV/AIDS Programme (MAP): US$21 million
Total Funds Disbursed By PEPFAR: Nil
Source: USAID, WHO, Ministry of Health

Adult Literacy Rate

38% (1995), total population:  46.7%, male:  53.4%, female:  40% (1998 est.)
total population: 41.7%, male: 51.8%, female: 31.9% (2003 est.)

Ethnic Groups

Arab-Berber: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30% (Source: CIA World Factbook)

Languages

Hasaniya, Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (official), French

Religions

Islam 100%

Type of Government

Republic

President

Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdulahi was deposed in a bloodless coup on 6th August 2008. He had become president on 19th April 2007 following his election. Until then, Col. Ely Ould Mohamed Vall (alternative spelling: Fal) since bloodless military coup of 3 August 2005 by the Military Council for Justice and Democracy. He replaced long-term president Col. Moaouia (Maaouya) Ould Sidi Mohammed Taya (president since 12 December 1984, re-elected for a third term with 60.8% of the vote on 7 November 2003).

Prime Minister

Sidi Mohamed Ould Boubakar (since 8 August 2005) was deposed 6th August 2008.

Political Parties

Political parties: Action for Change (AC); Alliance for Justice and Democracy (AJD); Republican Party for Democrasy and Renewal(PRDR) of former President Taya; Mauritanian Party for Renewal and Concorde (PMRC); National Union for Democracy and Development (UNDD); Party for Liberty, Equality and Justice (PLEJ) is made up of Black Africans; Popular Front (FP); Popular Progressive Alliance (APP) made up of former slaves (Haratins); Popular Social and Democratic Union (UPSD); Progress Force Union (UFP); Rally of Democratic Forces (RFD) for years the opposition party; Rally for Democracy and Unity (RDU); Union for Democracy and Progress (UDP). Action for Change party banned in January 2002; parties legalized by constitution ratified 12 July 1991; politics continue to be tribally based.
Political pressure groups: Arab nationalists; Ba'athists; General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers (CGTM); Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers (CLTM); Islamists; Mauritanian Workers Union (UTM).

Ruling Party

The Military Council for Justice and Democracy dissolved the Parliament and appointed a transitional government.

Currency

Ouguiya (UM, MRO)(5 khoums)
ouguiyas per US dollar - NA(2004), 263.03 (2003), 271.74 (2002), 255.63 (2001), 238.92 (2000)

GDP

US$513 (1992) US$1,068m (1995)
GDP: US$1.1 billion (2003)
purchasing power parity - US$5.534 billion (2004 est.)
per capita purchasing power parity - US$1,900 (2002 est.)
per capita purchasing power parity - US$1,800 (2004 est.)

GNP

US$530 (1992) US$500 (1994) US$460 (1995)

Per Capita Income Per capita income (2003): US$430.
Population Below Poverty Line 50% (2001 est.) 40% (2004 est.)
Land Use arable land: 0.48% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.51% (2001) Irrigated land: 490 sq km (1998 est.) Mauritania is about 60% desert.
Natural Resources iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish
Oil and Natural Gas production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) consumption: 24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) exports: NA (2001) imports: NA (2001)
Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 665,112 (2003 est.)
males age 18-49: 606,463 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: US$37.11 million, 3.7% of GDP (FY02) US$20.8 million, 1.7% of GDP (2004)
Economic Aid Received US$220 million (2000)
Aid per Capita (World Bank): US$85 (1999), US$80 (2000), US$98 (2001), US$124 (2002), US$85 (2003)
Total FY 2005 USAID assistance to Mauritania US$14,160,300.

Debt

Moderately indebted (HIPC)
World Bank Figures: US$1,218,000,000 (2000), US$1,407,000,064 (2001), US$570,300,032 (2002), US$785,400,000 (2003)
Other Sources: US$2,467m (1995) US$2.1 bn (1999) US$2.5 billion (2000)

Major Imports

machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods
foodstuffs, machinery, tools, petroleum products, and consumer goods (2002)

Imports from

France 23.0%, Benelux 8.0%, Spain 5.5%, Algeria 3.7%, US, Germany (2001)
US$860 million f.o.b. (2002) US$418 million (2002)
France 14.5%, US 7.7%, China 7.4%, Spain 5.9%, Belgium 4.3%, UK 4.3% (2004)

Major Exports

iron ore, fish and fish products, gold.It is reported that production of oil started in 2006.

Exports to

Italy 15.0%, France 14.9%, Spain 12.4%, Japan 8.0% (2001)
US$541 million f.o.b. (2002) US$388 million (2003)
Japan 13%, France 10.9%, Spain 9.6%, Italy 9.5%, Germany 8.7%, Belgium 7.4%, China 5.8%, Russia 4.8% (2004)

The Missionaries of Africa (also known as the 'White Fathers') are Registered Charity No. 233302 in England and Wales and a Charity Registered in Scotland No.SC037981

We try to have each fact sheet up to date and as accurate as possible.
If you notice any mistakes, or have suggestions on items which could be added, please let us know by emailing to: suttonlink@dial.pipex.com

The White Fathers, Sutton Coldfield, 7th August 2008

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