World > Africa > Namibia > Government and Political Conditions (Notes)

Namibia - Government and Political Conditions (Notes)

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS Namibia is a multiparty, multiracial democracy, with a president who is elected for 5-year term. The constitution establishes a bicameral Parliament and provides for general elections every 5 years and regional elections every 6 years. Members of the 72-seat National Assembly are elected on a party list system on a proportional basis. Members of the 26-seat National Council are elected from within popularly elected Regional Councils. The three branches of government are subject to checks and balances, and provision is made for judicial review. The judicial structure in Namibia largely parallels that of South Africa and comprises a Supreme Court, the High Court, and lower courts. Roman-Dutch law has been the common law of the territory since 1919. Namibia's unitary government is currently in the process of decentralization. The constitution provides for the private ownership of property and for human rights protections, and states that Namibia should have a mixed economy and encourage foreign investment. Sam Nujoma, leader of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), wasPresident from Namibia's independence in 1990 until 2005.In November 2004, citizens elected Minister of Lands, Resettlement and Rehabilitation Hifikepunye Pohamba to be the next President.Pohamba was inaugurated in March 2005 in conjunction with celebrations marking the country's fifteenth anniversary.International and domestic observers agreed the 2004 elections were generally free and well administered despite some irregularities. Pohamba was elected President with 76.4% of the vote.SWAPO won 55 of the 72 elected seats in the National Assembly.Six opposition parties won a total of 17 seats, including the Congress of Democrats party, which won the largest number of opposition votes; the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance; the National Unity Democratic Organization; the United Democratic Front; the Republican Party; and the Monitor Action Group. Principal Government Officials President--Hifikepunye Pohamba Prime Minister--Nahas Angula Deputy Prime Minister--Libertina Amathila National Assembly Speaker--Theo-Ben Gurirab National Council Chairperson--Asser Kapere Minister of Foreign Affairs--Marco Hausiku Minister of Defense--Major General Charles Namoloh National Planning Commission Director--Helmut Angula Namibia Central Intelligence Service Director--Lukas Hangula Minister of Education--Nangolo Mbumba Minister of Finance--Saara Kuugongelwa Minister of Safety and Security--Peter Tsheehama Minister of Trade and Industry--Immanuel Ngatjizeko Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration--Rosalia Nghindinwa Minister of Information and Broadcasting--Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Minister of Justice--Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana Minster of Mines and Energy--Erkki Nghimtina Minister of Labor and Social Welfare--Alpheus Naruseb Minister of Health and Social Service--Richard Kamwi Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Forestry--Nickey Iyambo Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources--Abraham Iyambo Minister of Environment and Tourism--Willem Konjore Minister of Lands and Resettlement--Jerry Ekandjo Minister of Regional and Local Government and Housing-- John Pandeni Minister of Works, Transport and Communication-Joel Kaapanda Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare--Marlene Mungunda Minister of Youth and National Service--John Mutorwa Ambassador to UN--Martin Andjaba Ambassador to U.S.--Patrick Nandago Namibia maintains an embassy in the United States at 1605 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington DC 20009 (tel: (202) 986-0540; fax: (202) 986-0443).