Mauritanian's Democratic Transition: A regional model for political reform?

Abstract

Since August 2005, Mauritania has embarked on an ambitious revision process of its political system. This democracy-oriented process and the changes in Mauritanian public life were gendered by a military coup, whose leaders sought to alter the country's political structures. These efforts have shifted widely held perceptions of Mauritania (as one of the world's poorest and most under-developed countries), indicating that the country may be on the verge of a significant transformation. The regime's aspirations culminated with Mauritania's first free, multi-candidate presidential elections in March 2007. The changes in Mauritania suggest that it could yet outpace is more developed North-African neighbours in their efforts to initiate political reforms and present a new regional model. This article probes the changes in Mauritania, and discusses the possibility of considering the country as a regional model that could affect broader reform currents within the Maghrib's political...