Government of Botswana
Long Conventional Name
Republic of Botswana
Short Conventional Name
Botswana
Long Local Name
Republic of Botswana
Short Local Name
Botswana
Government Type
Republic
Capital City
Gaborone
Administrative Divisions
9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northeast, Northwest, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern.
Independence Day
Friday, 30th September 1966
Constitutional History
March 1965, effective 30 September 1966.
Legal System
Based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations.
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive Branch
Chief of State
President Festus G. MOGAE (since 1 April 1998) and Vice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since 13 July 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
Head of Government
President Festus G. MOGAE (since 1 April 1998) and Vice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since 13 July 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
Cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president
Elections
President indirectly elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 20 October 2004 (next to be held in 2009); vice president appointed by the president.
Legislative Branch
Bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 15-member body with 8 permanent members consisting of the chiefs of the principal tribes, and 7 non-permanent members serving 5-year terms, consisting of 4 elected subchiefs and 3 members selected by the other 12 members) and the National Assembly (63 seats, 57 members are directly elected by popular vote, 4 are appointed by the majority party, and 2, the President and Attorney-General, serve as ex-officio members; members serve five-year terms).
Judical Branch
High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each district).
Flag Description
Light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center.
