The young democratic experience of Mauritania is threatened to be undermined by two forces, one of internal and the other of external origin, that are continuously gaining strength: neo-tribalistic tendencies that turn the elected government into a 'sultanic power', and Islamic fundamentalism that is successfully attracting the interests of all social groups and layers that do not profit from the modest democratic achievements nor from the neo-tribal activities. To support not only the growth of democratic structures but also of national identity concepts are needed that combine Western-borne values with congenial Islamic values.