From 1991, following the example of others in Africa, Mauritania engages in a process of democratization. A constitution is approved by referendum on July 12, 1991.
The first presidential elections, held on January 24 1992 give the victory to Maaouya Ould Sid ` Ahmed Taya with more than 62% of the votes, after an active and animated election campaign. The principal candidate of the opposition, Ahmed Ould Daddah claims there was fraud but observers confirm the reliabilty of the vote. Its party, UDF- è nouvelle (new era) calls for the boycott of the following legislative elections.

The democratic process is reinforced by the election of sixty nineteen deputies and fifty-six senators giving a crushing majority to the PRDS. On April 18th the CMSN is dissolves and Sidi Mohamed Ould Boubacar is named Prime Minister.

From now on the country engages in a relative stability. The relations with France tend towards normalization with the official visit of President Taya to this country as from December 13, 1993.
Reforms undertaken and the increasingly present support from the World Bank and the Monetary Funds give again the economy a renewal of vitality. This expansion touches the sectors of hydraulics, energy, roads, telecommunications, etc…

This reorganization of the economy is accompanied by a devaluation of the Ouguiyas, which affects the popular classes (Middle class). January 22, 1995, the rise of the bread prices causes some disorders in Nouakchott. The situation is however quickly controlled and the Government multiplies measures to monitor the market.

In November 1995, Mauritania participates as observer in the euro-mediterranean Conference in Barcelona.

January 2, 1996, Sheik El Avia Ould Mohamed khouna becomes Prime Minister. The PRDS wins the legislative elections of October. On February 28, 1997, the parties of opposition, the new UFD-è nouvelle and AC create a common front.

From September 5th to the 7th, President Chirac pays an official visit in Mauritania. He goes to Nouakchott and Atar.

The parties of opposition decide not to take part in the presidential elections of December 1997. Maaouya is elected with 90,25% of the voices. Mohamed Lemine Ould Guig is named Prime Minister.

July 7th, 1999, the captain Ely Ould Dah is arrested and is put in examination by the French justice. Mauritania ends the military co-operation with Paris and set up a visa of entry for the French.

June 7, 2000, the tension erupts between Mauritania and Senegal about the Senegalese project of the "fossil Valleys". After the abandonment of this project and the visit of President Wade in Nouakchott, relations are resumed.

October 28, the authorities dissolve the new UFD- è nouvelle.
On July 11, 2001 “Le rassemblement des Forces Démocratiques” (Consolidation of the Democratic Forces) is created by the militants of the ex UFD.
On 27 0ctobre the PRDS wins easily the legislative and municipal elections but loses some municipal elections in Nouakchott. The secretary-general of the PRDS, Mohamed Yehdhih ould Moctar El Hacen is removed and replaced by Louleid Ould Weddad on October 31.

On the diplomatic level, Mauritania, after being isolated from the Western world in 1991 for its supposed sympathy for Saddam Hussein at the time of the war of the Gulf, Initiated a realignment of its foreign policies. It establishes diplomatic relations with Israel in October 1999. That created some reactions from certain sectors of the public opinion and from certain Arab leaders. The relations with Iraq worsen and lead to the closing of the Iraqi Embassy in November 1999. At the same time, the relations were heated with the United States.

The Mauritanians and French contact is resumed from June 2001. Several French high officials visit Mauritania in 2001,2002 and 2003.

The attempt at a “coup d'etat” on June 8, 2003, although quickly controlled, somewhat damages the established reputation of the stability of the country. However, things quickly return to normal, showing the completely marginal character of the attempt which profited from no interior support. President Taya benefits, then, from the support of countries like France, Spain, Senegal, and Mali, which send their Foreign Ministers and the King of Morocco and the Emir of Qatar to visits.

Presidential elections were on November 7, 2003 with three candidates of the opposition, Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidalla, Ahmed Ould Daddah, Messaoud Ould Belkheir. Maaouya Ould Sid' Ahmed Taya wan the election at the first turn with 67% of the votes.

This rather hard campaign is held on with a backgroung of tensions. The candidate of the opposition Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidalla was questioned and released is arrested after the election with his two sons and the some known members of his staff like Ismael Ould Amar, Haba Ould Mohamed Vall and Sheik Ould Horma Ould Babana. Accused of an attempt at destabilsation, they are brought into justice. The court condemned them with a suspended sentence on December 28th.

The senatorial elections proceed on April 9 for the renewal of the third of the Senate. Over 18 seats in competition, the PRDS gains 14 of them on the first vote, the RDU 1, the APP 2. The 2nd vote, held on April 16 gives the elects to office Maktaa Lahjar of the PRDS against the UFP.