Legal System of Congo (Brazzaville)
Congo (Brazzaville) is located in Africa. It is geographically situated in central africa, bordering the south atlantic ocean, between angola and gabon. The country achieved independence on 15 august 1960 (from france). The capital is Brazzaville.
Government Overview
Government Type: presidential republic Chief of State: President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 1997) Head of Government: Prime Minister Anatole Collinet MAKOSSO (since 12 May 2021) Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president Administrative Divisions: 15 departments; Bouenza, Brazzaville, Congo-Oubangui, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Djoue-Lefini, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Nkeni-Alima, Plateaux, Pointe-Noire, Pool, Sangha National Holiday: Independence Day, 15 August (1960) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of Congo (Brazzaville) is described as mixed system of French civil law and customary law International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: several previous; latest approved by referendum 25 October 2015 Amendment Process: proposed by the president of the republic or by Parliament; passage of presidential proposals requires Supreme Court review followed by approval in a referendum; such proposals may also be submitted directly to Parliament, in which case passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote of both houses in joint session; proposals by Parliament require three-fourths majority vote of both houses in joint session; constitutional articles including those affecting the country’s territory, republican form of government, and secularity of the state are not amendable
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of NA judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members) Judge Selection: Supreme Court judges elected by Parliament and serve until age 65; Constitutional Court members appointed by the president of the republic - 3 directly by the president and 6 nominated by Parliament; members appointed for renewable 9-year terms with one third of the membership renewed every 3 years Subordinate Courts: Court of Audit and Budgetary Discipline; courts of appeal; regional and district courts; employment tribunals; juvenile courts
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of bicameral Lower Chamber: National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) (151 (all directly elected) seats) Electoral System (Lower Chamber): plurality/majority Upper Chamber: Senate (Sénat)
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Republic of the Congo Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Historical Background
Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. From 1968 to 1992, the country was named the People’s Republic of the Congo. A quarter-century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990, and a democratically elected government took office in 1992, at which time the country reverted to “the Republic of the Congo” name.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Congo (Brazzaville) based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.