The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs and The Republic of Yemen Cosponsored by The United Nations Development Programme and The Government of Japan In Partnership with the Governments of: The Netherlands The United Kingdom The United States And the: Canadian International Development Agency Friedrich Ebert Stiftung International Labour Organization Irish Aid National Endowment for Democracy United States Agency for International Development Westminster Foundation for Democracy World Bank		Namibia Country Summary english - french - spanish Namibia is a hybrid, semi-presidential system of government with a President as Head of State and Commander in Chief who nominates the Prime Minister as the leader of government business in Parliament. Formerly known as South West Africa, control of the territory was for years a matter of dispute between the apartheid regime of South Africa and the international community. After two decades of internal armed struggle by the Swapo movement, ten years of multilateral negotiations and increasing international pressure, a 1988 peace settlement led to elections for a Constituent Assembly. The Assembly adopted a draft Constitution, which provided for a multiparty system and elected the first president of an independent Namibia. Multiparty municipal, regional and local elections followed in 1992, with the first post-independence, popularly mandated presidential and legislative elections in 1994. The Swapo party has retained the presidency and a since independence majority of seats in parliament. Economic and Social Indicators Population: GNP: Per Capita GNP: Growth Rate: Illiteracy Rate: Life Expectancy: 2 million $3.6 billion $2220 1.3% figures unavailable 55-males 57-females The World Bank. World Development Report. Oxford Union Press,1999 Namibia political and civic leaders are recognized at having been effective in promoting national reconciliation and addressing key public policy issues such as education, land reform, economic development and the role of traditional leaders in a democratic and multiethnic society. In November 1998, the President signed legislation that would create an independent electoral commission, which observers believe will increase public confidence in the electoral process. Challenges for Namibia's democratic system at the national level include maintaining a balance between the powers of the executive and the bi-cameral legislature and further defining the role of political parties. Last year, an official policy on decentralization was implemented, which is devolving further power from the central government to existing regional and local councils. A successful process will depend in measure on greater citizen participation in the government. Although per capita income is three to six times higher than that of Africa's poorest countries, the majority of Namibia's people still live in poverty because of a high disparity of income distribution. The economy is still somewhat dependent on that of South Africa, with trade and communications infrastructure oriented towards that neighboring country. [ Introduction ] [ Worldwide Activities ] [ What We Do ] [ Feedback ] [ Jobs/Links/Archives ] [ NDI Home ]