egislature; the
constitution, ratified in August 1997, did not enter into effect,
pending parliamentary and presidential elections; those elections have
been postponed indefinitely following the start of the border conflict
with Ethiopia

Capital: Asmara (formerly Asmera)

Administrative divisions: 8 provinces (singular - awraja); Akale
Guzay, Barka, Denkel, Hamasen, Sahil, Semhar, Senhit, Seraye
note: in May 1995 the National Assembly adopted a resolution stating
that the administrative structure of Eritrea, which had been
established by former colonial powers, would consist of only six
provinces when the new constitution, then being drafted, became
effective in 1997; the new provinces, the names of which had not been
recommended by the US Board on Geographic Names for recognition by the
US Government, pending acceptable definition of the boundaries, were:
Anseba, Debub, Debubawi Keyih Bahri, Gash-Barka, Maakel, and Semanawi
Keyih Bahri; more recently, it has been reported that these provinces
have been redesignated regions and renamed Southern Red Sea, Northern
Red Sea, Anseba, Gash-Barka, Southern, and Central

Independence: 23-25 April 1993 referendum was held with vote for
independence as the outcome; 24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia; formerly the
Eritrea Autonomous Region)

National holiday: National Day (independence from Ethiopia), 24 May
(1993)

Constitution: the transitional constitution, decreed on 19 May 1993,
was replaced by a new constitution adopted on 23 May 1997, but not yet
implemented

Legal system: operates on the basis of transitional laws that
incorporate pre-independence statutes of the Eritrean People's
Liberation Front, revised Ethiopian laws, customary laws, and post
independence enacted laws

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993); note -
the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993); note
- the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: State Council is the collective executive authority
note: the president is head of the State Council and National Assembly
elections: president elected by the National Assembly; election last
held 8 June 1993 (next to be held NA)
election results: ISAIAS Afworki elected president; percent of
National Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afworki 95%

Legislative branch: unicameral N