Legal System of Mozambique
Mozambique is located in Africa. It is geographically situated in southeastern africa, bordering the mozambique channel, between south africa and tanzania. The country achieved independence on 25 june 1975 (from portugal). The capital is Maputo.
Government Overview
Government Type: presidential republic Chief of State: President Daniel Francisco CHAPO (since 15 January 2025) Head of Government: Prime Minister Maria Benvinda Delfina LEVI (since 17 January 2025) Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president Administrative Divisions: 10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city (cidade); Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia National Holiday: Independence Day, 25 June (1975) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of Mozambique is described as mixed system of Portuguese civil law and customary law International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: previous 1975, 1990; latest adopted 16 November 2004, effective 21 December 2004 Amendment Process: proposed by the president of the republic or supported by at least one third of the Assembly of the Republic membership; passage of amendments affecting constitutional provisions, including the independence and sovereignty of the state, the republican form of government, basic rights and freedoms, and universal suffrage, requires at least a two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly and approval in a referendum; referenda not required for passage of other amendments
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 5 judges); Constitutional Council (consists of 7 judges) Judge Selection: Supreme Court president appointed by the president of the republic; vice president appointed by the president in consultation with the Higher Council of the Judiciary (CSMJ) and ratified by the Assembly of the Republic; other judges elected by the Assembly; judges serve 5-year renewable terms; Constitutional Council judges appointed - 1 by the president, 5 by the Assembly, and 1 by the CSMJ; judges serve 5-year nonrenewable terms Subordinate Courts: Administrative Court (capital city only); provincial courts or Tribunais Judicias de Provincia; District Courts or Tribunais Judicias de Districto; customs courts; maritime courts; courts marshal; labor courts; community courts
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of unicameral
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Mozambique Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Historical Background
In the first half of the second millennium A.D., northern Mozambican port towns were frequented by traders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and India. The Portuguese were able to wrest much of the coastal trade from Arab Muslims in the centuries after 1500, and they set up their own colonies. Portugal did not relinquish Mozambique until 1975.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Mozambique based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.