Regular elections and a corruption inquiry against a former president have not altered Mauritania’s entrenched power structures. The ruling party continues to dominate, opposition figures face repression, and political power remains concentrated within a narrow elite. President Ghazouani pursues a status quo approach without major reforms on rights or inequality.
Mauritania’s economy has recovered from recent shocks, but economic growth lags behind population growth. Unemployment remains high, especially among youth. Poverty, weak infrastructure and fiscal vulnerabilities persist, although the budget deficit is gradually declining and debt restructuring has made some progress.
Governance weaknesses remain significant. Climate change, including desertification, fuels local conflicts, while the implementation of policies is slow. Transparency in public finance is limited, and stability relies on elite control rather than inclusive governance.
