<item><hi format=bold>Type:</hi> republic in transition to multiparty democracy
<item><hi format=bold>Capital:</hi> Malabo
<item><hi format=bold>Administrative divisions:</hi> 7 provinces (provincias, singular—provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas
<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 12 October 1968 (from Spain)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Independence Day, 12 October (1968)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> new constitution 17 November 1991
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom
<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 Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979) election last held 25 June 1989 (next to be held 25 June 1996); results—President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO was reelected without opposition
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister Silvestre SIALE BILEKA (since 17 January 1992); Vice Prime Minister Anatolio NDONG MBA (since November 1993);
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
<item><hi format=bold>House of People's Representatives:</hi> (Camara de Representantes del Pueblo) elections last held 21 November 1993; seats—(82 total) PDGE 72, various opposition parties 10
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> ruling—Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO, party leader; Progressive Democratic Alliance (ADP), Antonio-Ebang Mbele Abang, president; Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea (APGE),Casiano Masi Edu, leader; Liberal Democratic Convention (CLD), Alfonso Nsue MOKUY, president; Convergence for Social Democracy (CPDS),Santiago Obama Ndong, president; Social Democratic and Popular Convergence (CSDP), Secundino Oyono Agueng Ada, general secretary; Party of the Social Democratic Coalition (PCSD), Buenaventura Moswi M'Asumu, general coordinater; Liberal Party (PL), leaders unknown; Party of Progress (PP), Severo MOTO Nsa, president; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Benjamin-Gabriel Balingha Balinga Alene, general secretary; Socialist Party of Equatorial Guinea (PSGE), Tomas MICHEBE Fernandez, general secretary; National Democratic Union (UDENA), Jose MECHEBA Ikaka, president; Democratic Social Union (UDS), Jesus Nze Obama Avomo, general secretary; Popular Union (UP), Juan Bitui, president
<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice)