constituteproject.org PDF generated: 17 Jan 2014, 16:43 Article 29 The President of the Republic newly elected enters his functions at the expiration of the mandate of his predecessor. Before entering into [his] function, the President of the Republic takes an oath in these terms: "I swear by Allah the Unique to well and faithfully perform my functions, respecting the Constitution and the laws, to watch over the interest of the Mauritanian People, to safeguard the independence and the sovereignty of the country, the unity of the fatherland and the integrity of the national territory. I swear by Allah the Unique, not to take or support at all, directly or indirectly, an initiative that could lead to the revision of constitutional provisions related to the duration of the presidential mandate and to the regime of its renewal, specified in Articles 26 and 28 of this Constitution.” The oath is taken before the Constitutional Council, in the presence of the Bureau of the National Assembly, of the Bureau of the Senate, of the President of the Supreme Court and of the President of the High Islamic Council. Article 30 The President of the Republic determines and conducts the foreign policy of the Nation, as well as its policy of defense and of security. He appoints the Prime Minister and terminates his functions. On proposal of the Prime Minister, he appoints the Ministers to whom he may delegate[,] by decree[,] certain of his powers. The Prime Minister [being] consulted, he terminates their functions. The Prime Minister and the Ministers are responsible before [devant] the President of the Republic. The President of the Republic communicates with the Parliament through messages. These messages do not lead to any debate. Article 31 The President of the Republic can, after consultation with the Prime Minister and the Presidents of the Assemblies, pronounce the dissolution of the National Assembly. The general elections take place at least thirty (30) days and at most sixty (60) days after the dissolution. The National Assembly meets of plain right fifteen (15) days after its election. If this meeting takes place outside of the periods specified for the ordinary sessions, a session is opened of right for a duration of fifteen (15) days. A new dissolution cannot proceed during the twelve (12) months following these elections. Article 32 The President of the Republic promulgates the laws within the time established in Article 70 of this Constitution. He exercises [dispose] the regulatory power, and can delegate all or part of it to the Prime Minister. He appoints to the civil and military offices. Article 33 The decrees of a regulatory character are countersigned, the case arising, by the Prime Minister and the Ministers charged with their execution. Article 34 The President of the Republic is the Supreme Head of the Armed Forces. He presides over the Superior Councils and Committees of the National Defense. Mauritania 1991 (rev. 2012) Page 7