law and local customary law;
judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Sir Ketumile MASIRE
(since 13 July 1980) was elected for a five-year term by the
National Assembly; election last held 15 October 1994 (next to be
held October 1999); Vice President Festus MOGAE (since 9 March 1992)
was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
House of Chiefs: is a largely advisory 15-member body consisting of
the chiefs of the eight principal tribes, four elected subchiefs,
and three members selected by the other 12
National Assembly: elections last held 15 October 1994 (next to be
held October 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(44 total, 40 elected and 4 appointed by the majority party) BDP 27,
BNF 13

Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders: Botswana Democratic Party (BDP),
Sir Ketumile MASIRE; Botswana National Front (BNF), Kenneth KOMA;
Botswana People's Party (BPP), Knight MARIPE; Botswana Independence
Party (BIP), Motsamai MPHO

International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UN Security
Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Archibald MOGWE
chancery: Suite 7M, 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990, 4991
FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Howard F. JETER
embassy: address NA, Gaborone
mailing address: P. O. Box 90, Gaborone
telephone: [267] 353982
FAX: [267] 356947

Flag: light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the
center

Economy
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Economic overview: The economy has historically been based on
cattle raising and crops. Agriculture today provides a livelihood
for more than 80% of the population but supplies only about 50% of
food needs and accounts for only 5% of GDP. Subsistence farming and
cattle raising predominate. The sector is plagued by erratic
rainfall and poor soils. The driving