Mauritania – Annual Report 2022

Details: Published: September 4, 2023

Strategic Framework

Legal Policy Starting Point

The political system in Mauritania is centred around the office of the president. He holds the power to appoint almost all top positions in the state apparatus, such as the main bodies of the judiciary and the Constitutional Council. In addition, the country’s president also presides over the High Judicial Council whose purview includes, among other things, disciplinary matters relating to judges and their appointment and dismissal.

Regarding the human rights situation in the country and the independence of the legal profession, the election of Brahim Ould Ebetty as Chair of the Bar Association in August 2020 is a positive development. Known as a critic of former governments, he has long been part of the human rights and democracy movement in Mauritania, and has defended many victims of political oppression.

The National Assembly established a parliamentary commission of inquiry (Commission d’enquête parlementaire, CEP) in January 2020 to investigate numerous cases of corruption under the regime of Ould Abdel Aziz (2009 to 2019). The final report documents more than a dozen cases related to the mismanagement of oil revenues, transactions with public land and the conclusion of contracts with foreign companies in which the former president, members of his family, close friends and associates are alleged to have been involved. The courts decided to place the persons named in the report, including the former president, under house arrest and freeze their assets. International observers view this as a step in the direction of rule of law and as a strengthening of policy to combat corruption.

Overall Concept

IRZ activities in Mauritania began in 2022 with the first event aimed at the digitisation of the judiciary, which was conducted in cooperation with the German Federal Bar. In addition, individual actors from within the judiciary were involved in regional IRZ activities in Africa, among them officials from the Ministry of Justice of Mauritania.

In 2022, IRZ also conducted a wide-ranging needs analysis on the ground with the Federal Ministry of Justice as a basis for planning activities in 2023. The envisaged measures are now aimed at contributing to the long-term alignment of the judiciary with the rule of law and international standards. Overall, the legal exchange and support for capacity-building are intended to strengthen the rule of law in Mauritania. Justice Minister Boye expressed interest and the need for German expertise, as in earlier talks with the German Embassy in Nouakchott. The Ministry of Justice of Mauritania, the basic and further education institution for the judiciary (École nationale d’administration, du journalisme et de la magistrature) and the Bar Association are earmarked as project partners.

Focus of Activity in 2022

Administration of Justice

Workshop on “Digitisation of the judiciary – between reality and perspectives” on 23 and 24 November 2022, with the participation from the German Federal Bar Association and the Bar Association of Mauritania

Outlook

In 2023, IRZ will continue to build on the cooperation established with Mauritania in 2022 and will implement additional projects.

Please find the Annual Report 2022 here: Media centre – Annual reports.