| Country name: |
conventional long form:
Republic of Namibia
conventional short form:
Namibia
former:
German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa
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| Government type: |
republic
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| Administrative divisions: |
13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa
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| Independence: |
21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
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| National holiday: |
Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
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| Constitution: |
ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990
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| Legal system: |
based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution
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| Suffrage: |
18 years of age; universal
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| Executive branch: |
chief of state:
President Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:
President Sam Shafishuna 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 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004)
election results:
Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA elected president; percent of vote - Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA 77%
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| 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 - elections for regional councils, to determine members of the National Council, held 30 November-1 December 1998 (next to be held by December 2004); National Assembly - last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held by December 2004)
election results:
National Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SWAPO 21, DTA 4, UDF 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 76%, COD 10%, DTA 9%, UDF 3%, MAG 1%, other 1%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 7, DTA 7, UDF 2, MAG 1,
note:
the National Council is primarily an advisory body
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| Judicial branch: |
Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission)
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| Political parties and leaders: |
Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA, president]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Kosie PRETORIUS]; South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Sam NUJOMA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB]
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| Political pressure groups and leaders: |
NA
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| International organization participation: |
AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNTAET, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
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| Diplomatic representation in the US: |
chief of mission:
Ambassador Leonard Nangolo IIPUMBU
chancery:
1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
[1] (202) 986-0540
FAX:
[1] (202) 986-0443
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| Diplomatic representation from the US: |
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jeffrey A. BADER
embassy:
Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen Street, Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
[264] (61) 221601
FAX:
[264] (61) 229792
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| 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
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