<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> 18 years of age; universal
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state and head of government:</hi> President Sam NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); election last held 16 February 1990 (next to be held March 1995); results—Sam NUJOMA was elected president by the Constituent Assembly (now the National Assembly)
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Cabinet; appointed by the president from the National Assembly
<item><hi format=bold>National Council:</hi> elections last held 30 November-3 December 1992 (next to be held by December 1998); seats—(26 total) SWAPO 19, DTA 6, UDF 1
<item><hi format=bold>National Assembly:</hi> elections last held on 7-11 November 1989 (next to be held by November 1994); results—percent of vote by party NA; seats—(72 total) SWAPO 41, DTA 21, UDF 4, ACN 3, NNF 1, FCN 1, NPF 1
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), Sam NUJOMA; DTA of Namibia (formerly Democratic Turnhalle Alliance) (DTA), Mishake MUYONGO; United Democratic Front (UDF), Justus GAROEB; Action Christian National (ACN), Kosie PRETORIUS; National Patriotic Front (NPF), Moses KATJIUONGUA; Federal Convention of Namibia (FCN), Hans DIERGAARDT; Namibia National Front (NNF), Vekuii RUKORO
<item><hi format=bold>Other political or pressure groups:</hi> NA
<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> 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