Government of Mauritania
3 national office holders, each linked to its source.
Mauritania, officially the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, has its capital at Nouakchott and a population of 5,315,065 (World Bank, 2025). The CIA World Factbook describes its system of government as a presidential republic. President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani (in office since 1 Aug 2019) is head of state; Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Diay is head of government. The legislature is the Parliament (Barlamane), a unicameral body with 176 seats. The most recent national election recorded by IFES ElectionGuide was held on 29 Jun 2024. The source lists the next national election as expected in June 2029. Elections are run by the Commission Électorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI). Mohamed Lemine Ould Dhehby is listed as central bank governor. The directory below lists 29 cabinet and ministerial posts with their current holders and sources.
Parliament (Barlamane)
Unicameral. Source: CIA World Factbook
| Chamber | Seats | Last election |
|---|---|---|
| National Assembly (Al Jamiya-Al-Wataniya) | 176 (all directly elected) | 5/13/2023 to 5/27/2023 |
Cabinet
| Portfolio | Holder | Appointed |
|---|---|---|
| President of the Republic (President de la Republique islamique de Mauritanie) | Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani | 1 Aug 2024 |
| Prime Minister (Premier ministre) | Mokhtar Ould Diay | 2 Aug 2024 |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad (Ministre des Affaires etrangeres, de la Cooperation africaine et des Mauritaniens a l'etranger) | Mohamed Salem Merzoug | 5 Aug 2024 |
| Minister of Justice (Ministre de la Justice) | Mohamed Ould Souiedatt | - |
| Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs and Martyrs' Families (Ministre de la Defense et des Anciens combattants et des Familles des martyrs) | Hanana Ould Sidi | 5 Aug 2024 |
| Minister of the Interior, Decentralization and Local Development (Ministre de l'Interieur, de la Decentralisation et du Developpement local) | Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine | - |
| Minister of Islamic Affairs and Original Education (Ministre des Affaires islamiques et de l'Education originelle) | El Vadil Ould Sidaty Ould Ahmed Louly | - |
| Minister of Economic Affairs and Development (Ministre de l'Economie et du Developpement) | Abdallahi Suleiman Cheikh Sidiya | - |
| Minister of Finance (Ministre des Finances) | Codioro Moussa N'Guenore | - |
| Minister of Education and Teaching Reform (Ministre de l'Education nationale et de la Reforme pedagogique) | Houda Babah | - |
| Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research (Ministre de l'Enseignement superieur et de la Recherche scientifique) | Yacoub Moine | - |
| Minister of Health (Ministre de la Sante) | Thiam Tidjani | 17 Mar 2026 |
| Minister of Public Service and Labour (Ministre de la Fonction publique et du Travail) | Mariem Boidiel | - |
| Minister of Digital Transformation and Modernization of the Administration (Ministre de la Transformation numerique et de la Modernisation de l'Administration) | Ahmed Salem Ebode | - |
| Minister of Energy and Oil (Ministre de l'Energie et du Petrole) | Mohamed Ould Khaled | - |
| Minister of Mines and Industry (Ministre des Mines et de l'Industrie) | Eddy Ould Zeine | 17 Mar 2026 |
| Minister of Fisheries, Maritime and Port Infrastructures (Ministre des Peches et des Infrastructures maritimes et portuaires) | Mokhtar Ahmed Bouceif | - |
| Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty (Ministre de l'Agriculture et de la Souverainete alimentaire) | Mohamedou Ould Mhaimid | 17 Mar 2026 |
| Minister of Livestock Development (Ministre du Developpement de l'Elevage) | Sidi Ahmed Ould Mohamed | - |
| Minister of State Property, Heritage and Land Reform (Ministre du Domaine, du Patrimoine et de la Reforme fonciere) | Mamoudou Mamadou Niang | - |
| Minister of Trade and Tourism (Ministre du Commerce et du Tourisme) | Zeinebou Mint Ahmednah | - |
| Minister of Housing, Urban Planning and Land Management (Ministre du Logement, de l'Urbanisme et de l'Amenagement du territoire) | Naha Hamdi Mouknass | - |
| Minister of Equipment and Transport (Ministre de l'Equipement et des Transports) | Ely El Veirik | - |
| Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation (Ministre de l'Hydraulique et de l'Assainissement) | Amal Mouloud | - |
| Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament, Government Spokesperson (Ministre de la Culture, des Arts, de la Communication et des Relations avec le Parlement, porte-parole du Gouvernement) | Houssein Ould Medou | - |
| Minister of Social Action, Childhood and Family (Ministre de l'Action sociale, de l'Enfance et de la Famille) | Safiha Mint Ntahah | - |
| Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development (Ministre de l'Environnement et du Developpement durable) | Massouda Baham | - |
| Minister of Youth Empowerment, Employment, Sports and Civil Service (Ministre de l'Autonomisation des jeunes, de l'Emploi, des Sports et de la Fonction publique) | Mohamed Abdallahi Louly | - |
| Minister of Vocational Training, Handicrafts and Crafts (Ministre de la Formation professionnelle, de l'Artisanat et des Metiers) | Maalainine Ould Eyih | - |
Sources: ami.mr (retrieved 10 Oct 2026); CIA World Factbook, World Leaders (retrieved 10 Oct 2026).
List as of 10 Oct 2026.
Parliament, courts and independent offices
| Office | Holder | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Central bank governor | Mohamed Lemine Ould Dhehby | - |
Sources: CIA World Factbook, World Leaders list dated 1 Apr 2026.
Mauritania election dates 2026, 2027 and 2028
Next national election: Due by 2028, parliamentary election.
| Date | Election | Status | Turnout | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Due by 2028 | Parliamentary election | Due | - | - |
Sources: Commission Électorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI) (retrieved 9 Oct 2026).
Recent results
| Date | Election | Status | Turnout | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Jun 2024 | Presidential election | Held | - | Mohamed Ould Ghazouani |
Sources: Commission Électorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI) (retrieved 9 Oct 2026).