Government and Politics of Mozambique

Government Type

republic

Administrative Divisions

10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city (cidade)*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia

Legal System

based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

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

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Daniel CHAPO (since 15 January 2025) head of government: Prime Minister Benvinda LEVY (since 2025) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 9 October 2024 (next to be held in 2029); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Daniel CHAPO elected president; percent of vote - Daniel CHAPO (FRELIMO) 65.2%, Venancio MONDLANE (Independent) 24.2%, Ossufo MOMADE (RENAMO) 3.2%

Legislative Branch

unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on a secret ballot to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1-2 December 2004 (next to be held December 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 62%, RENAMO 29.7%; seats by party - FRELIMO 160, RENAMO 90

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its professional judges are appointed by the president and some are elected by the Assembly); other courts include an Administrative Court, customs courts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courts note: although the constitution provides for a separate Constitutional Court, one has never been established; in its absence the Supreme Court reviews constitutional cases

Political Parties

Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or FRELIMO [Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, president]; Mozambique National Resistance-Electoral Union (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana-Uniao Eleitoral) or RENAMO-UE [Afonso DHLAKAMA, president]

Head of State

President Armando GUEBUZA

Head of Government

Prime Minister Aires Bonificio Ali

Elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 28 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014); prime minister appointed by the president

Election Results

Armando GUEBUZA reelected president; percent of vote - Armando GUEBUZA 76.3%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 14.9%, Daviz SIMANGO 8.8%

Constitution

30-Nov-90

Independence

25 June 1975 (from Portugal)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 25 June (1975)

International Organization Participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISET, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Armando PANGUENE chancery: 1990 M Street NW, Suite 570, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146 FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Helen LA LIME embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo telephone: [258] (1) 492797 FAX: [258] (1) 490448

Capital City

Maputo

Location

25 57 S, 32 35 E

Time Difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

reputedly named after the Maputo River, which drains into Maputo Bay south of the city

U.S. Embassy Maputo Avenida Kenneth Kaunda, 193 Maputo, Mozambique Telephone: 258 21 49 2797 Emergency after-hours telephone: 258 21 49 0723 Facsimile: 258 21 49 0448

Military Branches

Mozambique Armed Defense Forces (Forcas Armadas de Defesa de Mocambique, FADM): Mozambique Army, Mozambique Navy (Marinha de Guerra de Mocambique, MGM), Mozambique Air Force (Forca Aerea de Mocambique, FAM)

Service Age and Obligation

registration for military service is mandatory for all males and females at 18 years of age; 18-35 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary service; 2-year service obligation; women may serve as officers or enlisted