<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 27 June 1977 (from France)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Independence Day, 27 June (1977)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> multiparty constitution approved in referendum 4 September 1992
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic law
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> universal adult at age NA
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> President HASSAN GOULED Aptidon (since 24 June 1977); election last held 7 May 1993 (next to be held NA 1999); results—President Hassan GOULED Aptidon was reelected
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister BARKAT Gourad Hamadou (since 30 September 1978)
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Council of Ministers; responsible to the president
<item><hi format=bold>Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes):</hi> elections last held 18 December 1992; results—RPP is the only party; seats—(65 total) RPP 65
<item>• <hi format=ital>other parties:</hi> Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), Mohamed Jama ELABE; Democratic National Party (PND), ADEN Robleh Awaleh
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<item><hi format=bold>Other political or pressure groups:</hi> Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD) and affiliates; Movement for Unity and Democracy (MUD)
<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center