High Council of State (Mauritania)

The High Council of State (Mauritania) (French: Haut Conseil d'État) was a transitional governing body established in Mauritania following the 2008 military coup that ousted President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi.

Following the coup d'état on August 6, 2008, General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who led the coup, initially headed a junta called the High Council of State. This council was formed to manage the country's affairs during the transitional period.

The primary function of the High Council of State was to prepare the country for new presidential elections and a return to civilian rule. It was tasked with organizing and overseeing these elections.

The composition of the High Council of State included military officers and civilians. The number and specific roles of its members varied during its existence.

The High Council of State oversaw the 2009 presidential election which was won by Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. After the election, civilian rule was formally restored, and the High Council of State was dissolved. Its dissolution marked the end of the transitional period initiated by the coup.

The legality of the High Council of State was contested by the ousted President Abdallahi and his supporters, who maintained that the coup was unconstitutional and the council therefore illegitimate. International organizations also voiced concerns about the nature of the transition.