Although twenty-one political parties have been recognized, political power remains largely in the hands of the President's party, including both the cabinet and parliament. Since 1994, several elections have taken place, including the first multi-party parliamentary elections in October 1996. Legislative power resides in the National Assembly and Senate. The judiciary, a Supreme Court and Lower Courts, is subject to control by the executive. The second presidential election is scheduled for January 1998.
Senators serve for six years, with one-third elected every two years.
All major political parties express concern for economic and social development, and for the freedom of conscience, expression, thought, assembly, and trade, with a strict respect for human rights. From 1960 to 1967, relations between the U.S. and Mauritania were excellent. In December 1969, U.S.-Mauritanian relations were resumed. These relations have been generally cordial, though strained during the 1989-91 upheavals and the Gulf War. However, these ties were strained as a result of the GIRM position in the Gulf War, and human rights violations.