The Arab-African Anti-Corruption and Bribery Commission, led by Mahmoudi Saybout, has urged Mauritania to bolster legal safeguards to protect the democratic rotation of power. In a statement released on November 2, 2026, the commission emphasized that reinforcing this principle, enshrined in Article 99 of the Mauritanian Constitution, is a crucial democratic achievement. The commission highlighted that the presidential term, limited to five years and renewable only once, as per Articles 26 and 28, is a protected constitutional principle.
The commission's statement stressed the need for a clear legislative and penal framework to define intentional acts targeting the democratic rotation of power or attempting to circumvent protected constitutional provisions. Such a framework should include penalties commensurate with the severity of these acts. The commission also called for distinguishing between illicit acts aiming to undermine the constitutional order and the right to freedom of expression, opinion, and political debate.
The Arab-African Anti-Corruption and Bribery Commission emphasized that protecting the democratic rotation of power is a national responsibility that transcends political calculations and partisan alignments. The commission's statement recalled Mauritania's complex political history, marked by prolonged periods of individual rule, crises, tensions, and military coups. These experiences, the commission argued, demonstrate that a country's stability is not ensured by the continued presence of individuals in power but by the consolidation of institutions, respect for the constitution, and the guarantee of peaceful and regular power transfers.
The commission's statement also highlighted the importance of allowing the public prosecutor to initiate public proceedings when the legal elements of a crime are present, without requiring a complaint from an affected party. This is particularly relevant when the undermining of protected constitutional principles constitutes a crime, affecting public interest and the country's constitutional order.
In its statement, the commission reiterated that shielding the democratic rotation of power from erosion or circumvention requires effective legal guarantees. The commission concluded by emphasizing that the constitution is supreme, and the democratic rotation of power is a right of the nation, not a privilege granted or revoked by those in power.
The Arab-African Anti-Corruption and Bribery Commission's call for stronger legal safeguards reflects its commitment to promoting democratic governance and the rule of law in Mauritania. By advocating for a more robust protection of the democratic rotation of power, the commission aims to contribute to the country's stability and institutional consolidation.
Key to the commission's recommendations is the need for a comprehensive legislative framework that clearly defines and penalizes acts aimed at undermining the democratic rotation of power. The commission's proposals seek to strike a balance between protecting the constitutional order and safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms.
Key points
- The Arab-African Anti-Corruption and Bribery Commission urges Mauritania to enhance legal safeguards for the democratic rotation of power.
- A clear legislative and penal framework is needed to define and penalize acts targeting the democratic rotation of power.
- Protecting the democratic rotation of power is a national responsibility that requires effective legal guarantees.
