This is a list of heads of state of Mauritania since the country gained independence from France in 1960 to the present day.
A total of nine people have served as head of state of Mauritania (not counting one Acting President). Additionally, one person, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, has served on two non-consecutive occasions.
The current head of state of Mauritania is the President of the Republic Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, since 1 August 2019.
Term limits
As of 2023, there is a two-term limit for the president in the Constitution of Mauritania. The first president who adhered to the term limits was Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz in 2019.
Titles
1960–1961: Acting Head of State
1961–1978: President of the Islamic Republic
1978–1979: Chairman of the Military Committee for National Recovery
1979: Head of State and Chairman of the Military Committee for National Recovery
1979–1992: Head of State and Chairman of the Military Committee for National Salvation
1992–2005: President of the Islamic Republic
2005–2007: Chairman of the Military Council for Justice and Democracy