Mauritanian Lawyer Criticizes Ruling Party Deputies Over Constitutional Term Limits

Mauritanian lawyer and politician Me Moammar Ould Mohamed Salem has strongly criticized several ruling party deputies for seeking to revise the country's constitution. On November 9, 2026, Ould Mohamed Salem expressed his disapproval on Facebook, stating that most majority party deputies have abandoned their fundamental role of externally controlling public funds. He argued that they are instead contesting the constitution itself. Ould Mohamed Salem emphasized that the value of democratic alternation lies in the temporal limitation of a leader's term to a maximum of ten years.

Ould Mohamed Salem, who is also the vice-president of the ruling party Front de la Citoyenneté et de la Justice (FCJ/Djemâa), stressed that time is an essential element of an elected mandate. He noted that no leader is tasked with completing all of a country's projects, but rather with executing as many as possible within the allotted time. Ould Mohamed Salem recalled the principle that "no one is bound to do the impossible." His comments come as the National Assembly debates the General Policy Declaration (DPG) presented by Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay.

The lawyer and politician reaffirmed that the constitution, which some majority party deputies are seeking to violate, is the very text that grants them their status as legislators and the immunity they enjoy. Ould Mohamed Salem's statements have sparked controversy amid growing calls from some majority party deputies to revise the constitution. These deputies are seeking to allow President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani to run for a third term.

The National Assembly session has been marked by repeated appeals from several majority party deputies to revise the constitution. Their goal is to grant President El Ghazouani a third term in office. Ould Mohamed Salem's criticism of these deputies reflects a deeper debate about term limits and the role of parliamentarians in Mauritania. The country's constitution currently limits presidential terms to two.

Ould Mohamed Salem's Facebook post has generated significant attention and reaction. Many Mauritanians are closely following the debate about constitutional term limits and the president's potential third term. The issue has sparked concerns about democratic governance and the rule of law in the country. Ould Mohamed Salem's statements have been seen as a strong defense of the current constitutional provisions.

The Mauritanian government has not officially responded to Ould Mohamed Salem's criticism. However, the debate is expected to continue in the coming days as the National Assembly votes on the General Policy Declaration. The outcome of this vote and the future of the constitutional revision debate remain uncertain. Ould Mohamed Salem's comments have added a new layer of complexity to the discussion.

The controversy surrounding Ould Mohamed Salem's statements highlights the challenges facing Mauritania's democratic institutions. The country has made significant progress in consolidating democracy in recent years. However, the debate over constitutional term limits and presidential powers poses a significant test for the country's democratic governance.

Key points

• Mauritanian lawyer Me Moammar Ould Mohamed Salem criticizes ruling party deputies for seeking to revise the constitution to allow President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani a third term.