Mauritania: Calls for a third presidential term for Ghazouani spark controversy amid constitutional adherence to term limits.
Written by: Ayman Ragab
As the terms of heads of state draw to a close, the debate over presidential term limits resurfaces frequently in Africa. This controversy is fueled by historical, social, and political factors, and sometimes by the ambiguity of certain constitutional texts themselves, leading to sharp disagreements in several countries on the continent. Mauritania is no exception to this phenomenon.
Mauritania is no exception to this path, even though its constitution includes strict restrictions that make the duration and number of presidential terms among the unamendable provisions.
However, this constitutional restriction did not prevent a number of officials from the Justice and Equality Movement, the main party in the presidential majority, from calling for President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani to be given a third term, during a ceremony held last Friday to celebrate «seven years of achievements» made by the head of state.
Strengthening the rule of law, institutions, and the separation of powers
Political activist Souley Bouna Mokhtar, who is close to the Justice Party, praised the President's recent press conference, saying that "apart from projects and figures, the President delivered a fundamental message of continuing public work by strengthening the rule of law, institutions, and the separation of powers.".
He added: «As a citizen, I demand another term for the President of the Republic. But at the moment I abide by what he himself stated during his press conference.».
For his part, Professor Lou Gourmou, a professor of constitutional law and a leader of the opposition Union of Progressive Forces party, welcomed the press conference, noting that «the President’s statements were translated simultaneously into all national languages, which is unprecedented.».
He believes that this initiative opens a promising path towards the formalization of national languages, a demand he considers legitimate.
Regarding the sensitive issue of a third term, Professor Lou Gourmou was decisive, saying: «I repeat what all legal professionals know: it is impossible to lift this restriction within the framework of the Constitution, given the mechanisms in place to prevent any attempt at revision. There is a clear and explicit article linked to the presidential oath of office, which prohibits initiating any process that could lead to amending the number or duration of presidential terms.».
He explained that a second constitutional restriction is the explicit prohibition of any "presidential or parliamentary initiative aimed at organizing a referendum on the issue of presidential term limits." In other words, neither the president nor members of parliament can initiate a referendum to change the rules relating to presidential terms.
In Mauritania, the term of office of the President of the Republic is set at five years, renewable only once, according to Article 28 of the Constitution.
The fundamental, unamendable articles of the constitution are enshrined in Articles 26, 28 and 99.
