Government and Politics of Namibia

Government Type

republic

Administrative Divisions

13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa

Legal System

based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Namibia dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Nangolo MBUMBA (since 4 February 2024); note - President Hage GEINGOB died in office on 4 February 2024, and Vice President Mbumba was sworn in to complete the remaining term; MBUMBA was subsequently elected president in the November 2024 general elections head of government: Prime Minister Elijah NGURARE (since March 2025); note - Saara KUUGONGELWA-AMADHILA served as Prime Minister from 2015 until 2025 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: President elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 27 November 2024 (next to be held in November 2029) election results: Nangolo MBUMBA elected president; percent of vote - Nangolo MBUMBA (SWAPO) 57.8%, Panduleni ITULA (IPC) 25.5%, McHenry VENAANI (PDM) 5.1%, other 11.6%

Legislative Branch

Namibia's bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (42 seats; 3 members are chosen from each of the 14 regional councils to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (104 seats; 96 members are elected by popular vote through proportional representation and 8 are appointed by the president to serve five-year terms). Elections: National Council — elections for regional councils, which determine members of the National Council, were last held in November 2020; National Assembly — last held on 27 November 2024. Election results: National Assembly — percent of vote by party: SWAPO 51.5%, IPC 23.7%, PDM 5.4%, LPM 3.6%, NUDO 2.6%, APP 2.4%, UDF 1.6%, RP 1.1%, other parties sharing remaining votes; seats by party: SWAPO 51, IPC 20, PDM 6, LPM 4, NUDO 2, APP 2, UDF 2, RP 1, others sharing remaining seats. National Council — SWAPO holds the majority of seats following regional council elections. Note: The National Council serves primarily as a reviewing and advisory body, scrutinizing legislation passed by the National Assembly and representing regional interests at the national level.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission)

Political Parties

Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA, president]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Jurie VILJOEN]; South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB]; Republican Party or RP [Henk MUDGE]; National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO [Kuaima RIRUAKO]

Head of State

President Nangolo MBUMBA

Head of Government

Prime Minister Elijah NGURARE (since March 2025)

Cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly

Elections

National Council — elections for regional councils, which determine members of the National Council, were last held in November 2020; National Assembly — last held on 27 November 2024.

Election Results

National Assembly — percent of vote by party: SWAPO 37.4%, IPC 25.5%, PDM 20.3%, LPM 5.8%, APP 2.5%, NUDO 1.6%, UDF 1.2%, other parties sharing remaining votes; seats by party: SWAPO 51, IPC 20, PDM 6, LPM 4, NUDO 2, APP 2, UDF 2, RP 1, others sharing remaining seats. National Council — SWAPO holds a majority of seats following regional council elections, though its dominance has narrowed in recent electoral cycles. Note: The National Council serves primarily as a reviewing and advisory body, scrutinizing legislation passed by the National Assembly and representing regional interests at the national level.

Constitution

ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990

Independence

21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 21 March (1990)

International Organization Participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Hopelong Uushona IPINGE chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Joyce BARR embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek telephone: [264] (61) 221601 FAX: [264] (61) 229792

Capital City

Windhoek

Location

22 34 S, 17 05 E

Time Difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

may derive from the Afrikaans word "wind-hoek" meaning "windy corner"

The U.S. Embassy Windhoek Located at: 14 Lossen Street, Ausspannplatz, Windhoek Mailing address: Private Bag 12029, Ausspannplatz, Windhoek, Namibia Telephone: (264-61) 295-8500 Consular Section: (264-61) 295-8522 Fax: (264-61) 295-8603 After-hours emergency line: (264-81) 127-4384

Military Branches

Namibian Defense Force (NDF): Army, Navy, Air Force

Service Age and Obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription