mbane, Manica, Maputo, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia
Independence:
25 June 1975 (from Portugal)
Constitution:
30 November 1990
Legal system:
based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law
National holiday:
Independence Day, 25 June (1975)
Political parties and leaders:
Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO,
chairman; formerly a Marxist organization with close ties to the USSR;
FRELIMO was the only legal party before 30 November 1990, when the new
Constitution went into effect establishing a multiparty system
note:
the government plans multiparty elections as early as 1993; 14 parties,
including the Liberal Democratic Party of Mozambique (PALMO), the Mozambique
National Union (UNAMO), the Mozambique National Movement (MONAMO), and the
Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO, Alfonso DHLAKAMA, president), have
already emerged
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
draft electoral law provides for periodic, direct presidential and Assembly
elections
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da Republica)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State: President Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO (since 6 November 1986)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Mario da Graca MACHUNGO (since 17 July 1986)
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,
INMARSAT, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SADC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO

*Mozambique, Government

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Hipolito PATRICIO
chancery:
Suite 570, 1990 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:
(202) 293-7146
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Townsend B. FRIEDMAN, Jr.
embassy:
Avenida Kenneth Kuanda, 193 Maputo
mailing address:
P. O. Box 783, Maputo
telephone:
[258] (1) 49-27-97, 49-01-67, 49-03-50
FAX:
[258] (1) 49-01-14
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red
isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in
white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a
crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book

*Mozambique, Economy

Overview:
One of Africa's poorest countries, Mozamb