The Union of Progressive Forces, a Mauritanian opposition party, has urged President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani to reaffirm that the country's upcoming national dialogue will not affect the constitutional provisions governing presidential term limits. In a statement on Tuesday, the party expressed concern over potential changes to the constitution, emphasizing that democratic alternation of power is a fundamental aspect of the republic.
The party's statement comes after President El Ghazouani's remarks in the city of Atar on Sunday, where he indicated that the national dialogue aims to promote national unity and social cohesion without altering the foundations of the republic. However, the opposition party has sought clarification on this issue, requesting that the president explicitly rule out any direct or indirect attempts to modify the non-revisable constitutional provisions.
The national dialogue is set to commence after months of consultations among various political stakeholders. The talks are expected to focus on several key areas, including national unity, social cohesion, democratic governance, and the prevention of risks and threats. Nevertheless, the topic of presidential term limits and potential constitutional amendments has been a contentious issue, with some groups within the ruling coalition advocating for changes.
The Union of Progressive Forces has emphasized that the constitution explicitly sets the presidential term at five years and limits the number of terms to two. Furthermore, the party stresses that democratic alternation of power is a non-negotiable aspect of the constitution. In light of these concerns, the party has called on President El Ghazouani to take immediate measures to prevent what it perceives as a serious deviation from democratic principles.
According to the opposition party, the president's confirmation that term limits will not be subject to revision would help to ease tensions and foster trust among participants in the national dialogue. While the party is open to constitutional amendments in other areas, it insists that any changes must respect the limits set by the constitution.
The Union of Progressive Forces has reiterated its commitment to participating in a comprehensive and genuine national dialogue, alongside its allies, while upholding the constitutional provisions related to democracy and pluralism. The party's stance reflects its concerns about the potential implications of altering the constitution on the country's democratic trajectory.
As Mauritania prepares for the national dialogue, the opposition party's call for clarity on presidential term limits highlights the complexities and challenges surrounding the talks. The outcome of the dialogue will likely have significant implications for the country's future, and the Union of Progressive Forces' stance underscores the importance of protecting democratic principles and the rule of law.
Key points
- The Union of Progressive Forces has urged President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani to confirm that the national dialogue will not alter constitutional provisions on presidential term limits.
