Africa Day in Mauritania
In Mauritania, Africa Day is listed by law as 25 May, under the name “Africa Liberation Day.” The law declares it a legal holiday and says legal holidays are non-working and paid; the date also marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963.[1][2]
A legal holiday on 25 May
Mauritania’s Law 92.018 of 7 December 1992 names 25 May as “journée de la libération de l’Afrique” among the country’s legal holidays. The law says these holidays are non-working and paid. It does not spell out separate rules for particular occupations or describe an automatic substitute day when the date falls on a weekend.[1]
The same law allows the President to declare additional days or parts of days non-working by decree in particular circumstances. Any such decree is to say whether the time off must be made up or is exceptionally paid. That provision concerns additional declared days; the law does not state a general weekend-substitution rule for 25 May.[1]
The African connection
Africa Day recalls the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in Addis Ababa on 25 May 1963. The African Union describes the OAU’s founding aims as promoting unity and cooperation among African states, defending their sovereignty and independence, and ending colonialism. The OAU later became the African Union.[2][3]
Mauritania’s place in this history is particularly direct: the African Union’s member-state record lists Mauritania as joining the OAU on 25 May 1963, the date the organization was founded. In Mauritania’s 1992 law, the holiday’s name emphasizes liberation, connecting its national legal observance with the wider continental history of independence and cooperation.[1][2]
Observance and practical plans
The African Union describes the OAU’s aims as promoting unity and cooperation among African states, defending their sovereignty and independence, and ending colonialism.[3]
Because the law defines legal holidays as non-working and paid, visitors should expect work schedules to be affected. The law does not specify opening arrangements for banks, shops, transport services or particular public offices, so check directly with the service you plan to use. No general substitute day is set out in the law.[1]
Africa Day in Mauritania: FAQs
Is Africa Day a public holiday in Mauritania?
Yes. Law 92.018 lists 25 May as Africa Liberation Day and says legal holidays are non-working and paid.[1]
When is Africa Day observed?
Is there a substitute day if 25 May falls on a weekend?
The 1992 law does not set a general substitute-day rule for 25 May. It allows additional non-working days to be declared by presidential decree in particular circumstances.[1]
What will be open on the day?
The law establishes the holiday as non-working and paid, but does not list opening hours for banks, shops, transport or specific offices. Check with the service before travelling.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for Africa Day in Mauritania:
- LOI 92.018 DU 7 DÉCEMBRE 1992 FIXANTLES FÊTES LÉGALES EN MAURITANIE- Ministère de la Fonction Publique et du Travail
- Member States- African Union
- The Pan-Africanist Movement and the road to liberation- African Union