Official name

Republic of Namibia

Form of state

Unitary republic

Legal system

Based on the constitution of 1990 and Roman-Dutch law

National legislature

Bicameral; National Assembly, with 72 members elected by universal suffrage and serving a five-year term, and up to six non-voting members appointed by the president; National Council, with limited powers of review and 26 members, two of whom are nominated by each of the country's 13 regional councils, serving a six-year term

National elections

November 2009 (legislative and presidential); next elections due in November 2014

Head of state

Hifikepunye Pohamba, elected president by universal suffrage in November 2009

National government

President and his appointed cabinet; reshuffled in March 2010

Main political parties

South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO), the ruling party (54 of the elected seats in the National Assembly); Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP; 8 seats); Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA; 2 seats); National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO; 2 seats); United Democratic Front (UDF; 2 seats); Congress of Democrats (CoD; 1 seat); Republican Party (RP; 1 seat); All People's Party (APP; 1 seat); South West Africa National Union (SWANU; 1 seat); Monitor Action Group (MAG)

Prime minister: Nahas Angula

Deputy prime minister: Marco Hausiku

Cabinet ministers

Agriculture, water & forestry: John Mutorwa

Defence: Charles Namoloh

Education: Abraham Iyambo

Environment & tourism: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah

Finance: Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila

Fisheries & marine resources: Bernard Esau

Foreign affairs: Utoni Nujoma

Gender equality & child welfare: Doreen Sioka

Health & social services: Richard Kamwi

Home affairs & immigration: Rosalia Nghidinwa

Information & communication technology: Joel Kaapanda

Justice: Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana

Labour & social welfare: Immanuel Ngatjizeko

Lands & resettlement: Alpheus Naruseb

Mines & energy: Isak Katali

National Planning Commission: Tom Alweendo

Presidential affairs & attorney-general: Albert Kawana

Regional & local government, housing & rural development: Jerry Ekandjo

Safety & security: Nangolo Mbumba

Speaker of parliament: Theo-Ben Gurirab

Trade & industry: Hage Geingob

Veterans' affairs: Nickey Iyambo

Works & transport: Erkki Nghimtina

Youth, national service, sport & culture: Kazenambo Kazenambo

Governor of the central bank

Ipumbu Shiimi