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Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Namibia
conventional short form: Namibia
Data code: WA
Government type: republic
Capital: Windhoek
Administrative divisions: 13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa
Independence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
Constitution: ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990
Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Sam NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); note—the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Sam NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990);
note—the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members
of the National Assembly
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 7-8 December 1994 (next to be held NA December
1999)
election results: Sam NUJOMA elected president; percent of vote—76%
Legislative branch: bicameral
legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members
are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms)
and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular
vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: National Council—last held 30 November-1 December
1998 (next to be held by December 2004); National Assembly—last
held 7-8 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999)
election results: National Council—percent of vote by party—NA;
seats by party—NA; National Assembly—percent of vote
by party—SWAPO 73.89%, DTA 20.78%, UDF 2.72%, DCN 0.83%,
MAG 0.82%; seats by party—SWAPO 53, DTA 15, UDF 2, MAG 1,
DCN 1
note: the National Council is a purely advisory body
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Sam NUJOMA]; National Democratic Party for Justice or NDPFJ [Nbhwete NDJOBA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA, president]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Kosie PRETORIUS]; Democratic Coalition of Namibia or DCN [Moses K. KATJIUONGUA]
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, MONUA, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in
the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Usko
SHIVUTE
chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540
FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443
Diplomatic representation from
the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador George F. WARD, Jr.
embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen St., Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz,
Windhoek
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [264] (61) 221601
FAX: [264] (61) 229792
Flag description: a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders