In 5 Aug referendum 85% of voters agreed to abolish parliament’s upper house (Senate) and alter national flag; turnout was 53.73% following boycott by opposition.

Govt 12 July declared north-eastern border with Algeria and Mali military zone “absolutely prohibited to civilians” due to security threat posed by traffickers. Army mid-July stopped vehicle carrying weapons and ammunition near north-eastern border coming from Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria. At summit of G5 Sahel (Mali, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso and Mauritania) in Bamako 1-2 July, members each pledged €10mn to finance 5,000-strong joint military force to counter jihadism in region (see Mali). Police 26 July cracked down on demonstrators in capital Nouakchott protesting against referendum on constitution planned for 5 Aug, several wounded.

Council of ministers 8 June postponed referendum on constitution planned for 15 July until 5 Aug following proposal by electoral commission, due to low level of voter registration. African Union 3 June pledged support to efforts of Sahel G5 (Niger, Mali, Chad, Mauritania and Burkina Faso) against jihadism and EU 5 June promised €50mn to support G5 joint military force; UN Security Council 21 June adopted resolution endorsing G5 force but did not authorise use of force. Govt broke off ties with Qatar 6 June accusing it of supporting terrorism (see Qatar).

Govt 20 April said referendum on constitutional amendments that would replace parliament’s upper house with regional councils will take place 15 July.

National assembly 9 March passed constitutional amendment that would replace parliament’s upper house with regional councils; Senators 17 March rejected amendment. President Ould Abdel Aziz 22 March said amendment will be put to referendum “as quickly as possible” to overcome impasse.

Appeals court 18 Nov overturned convictions of three anti-slavery activists and reduced jail terms of ten others accused of rioting after forced eviction of ethnic Haratin, many of them former slaves, in Nouakchott.

National dialogue 20 Oct agreed to amend constitution, proposed changes include dissolving senate and establishing regional councils. President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz same day confirmed he will not seek third term.

Govt mid-Aug reportedly deployed short- and medium-range missiles at northern border with Western Sahara following Morocco’s deployment of gendarmes in area in anti-smuggling operation (see Western Sahara).

Authorities 29 June-3 July arrested at least nine anti-slavery activists following protest against forced eviction of ethnic Haratin, many former slaves, in Nouakchott by security forces. 23 people, including the nine activists, reportedly jailed 12 July for “assault against the police”, “incitement of violence and belonging to an unauthorised organisation”. Arab League summit held in Nouakchott for first time 25 July.

Supreme Court 17 May ordered release of high-profile human rights activists Biram Dah Abeid and Brahim Bilal Ramdhane who had been jailed for eighteen months, after deciding their offences warranted one year of imprisonment not two as originally sentenced. Abeid 18 May said he wants to run again for president.