Legal System of Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea is located in Africa. It is geographically situated in central africa, bordering the bight of biafra, between cameroon and gabon. The country achieved independence on 12 october 1968 (from spain). The capital is Malabo; note - Malabo is on the island of Bioko; some months of the year, the government operates out of Bata on the mainland region..
Government Overview
Government Type: presidential republic Chief of State: President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (since 3 August 1979) Head of Government: Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua (since 17 August 2024) Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and overseen by the prime minister Administrative Divisions: 8 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Djibloho, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas National Holiday: Independence Day, 12 October (1968) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of Equatorial Guinea is described as mixed system of civil and customary law International Law: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: previous 1968, 1973, 1982; approved by referendum 17 November 1991 Amendment Process: proposed by the president of the republic or supported by three fourths of the membership in either house of the National Assembly; passage requires three-fourths majority vote by both houses of the Assembly and approval in a referendum if requested by the president
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the President of the Supreme Court and nine judges organized into civil, criminal, commercial, labor, administrative, and customary sections); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president and 4 members) Judge Selection: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president for five-year terms; Constitutional Court members appointed by the president, 2 of whom are nominated by the Chamber of Deputies Subordinate Courts: Court of Guarantees; military courts; Courts of Appeal; first instance tribunals; district and county tribunals
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of bicameral Lower Chamber: Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de los Diputados) (100 (all directly elected) seats) Electoral System (Lower Chamber): proportional representation Upper Chamber: Senate (Senado)
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Equatorial Guinea Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Historical Background
Equatorial Guinea consists of a continental territory and five inhabited islands; it is one of the smallest countries by area and population in Africa. The mainland region was most likely predominantly inhabited by Pygmy ethnic groups prior to the migration of various Bantu-speaking ethnic groups around the second millennium BC.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Equatorial Guinea based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.