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The democratization process under way in Mauritania since 1991 seems to be breaking down. This article argues that the obvious neo-patrimonial nature of the regime and the managed transition have limited the possibilities for installing democracy for then time being. President Maouya Sid'Ahmed Ould Taya and his dominant party have encouraged a tribal revival. Clientelism and neo-patrimonial practices have invaded the new institutions. Opposition parties are weak and have difficulty in asserting themselves and the political use of tribalism threatens democracy.
Martin E. Marty (Sun,) studied this question.