World Factbook
Mozambique
Republica de Mocambique
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow, with a red isosceles triangle based on the left side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a five-pointed yellow star with a crossed black-and-white rifle and hoe, on top of an open white book meaning: green stands for the riches of the land, white for peace, black for the African continent, yellow for the country's minerals, and red for the fight for independence; the rifle stands for defense and vigilance, the hoe for agriculture, the open book for the importance of education, and the star for Marxism and internationalism
note: one of two national flags featuring a firearm; the other is Guatemala
Capital
name
Maputo
etymology
named after the Maputo River, which drains into Maputo Bay south of the city; the river is said to be named after the son of Muagobe, a local chief in the 18th century
time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
25 57 S, 32 35 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Mozambique
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
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
Country name
former
Portuguese East Africa, People's Republic of Mozambique
etymology
named for an offshore island; the island was named after Mussa bin BIQUE (or Mussa Ibn MALIK), an influential Arab slave trader who set himself up as sultan on the island in the 15th century
local long form
Republica de Mocambique
local short form
Mocambique
conventional long form
Republic of Mozambique
conventional short form
Mozambique
Independence
25 June 1975 (from Portugal)
Legal system
mixed system of Portuguese civil law and customary law
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 5 judges); Constitutional Council (consists of 7 judges)
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
judge selection and term of office
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
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president
chief of state
President Daniel Francisco CHAPO (since 15 January 2025)
election results
2024 : Daniel CHAPO elected president in first round; percent of vote - Daniel CHAPO (FRELIMO) 65.2%, Venâncio MONDLANE (PODEMOS) 24.2%, Ossufo MOMADE (RENAMO) 6.6%
head of government
Prime Minister Maria Benvinda Delfina LEVI (since 17 January 2025)
most recent election date
9 October 2024
election/appointment process
president elected directly by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for 2 consecutive terms); prime minister appointed by the president
expected date of next election
October 2029
National holiday
Independence Day, 25 June (1975)
National color(s)
green, black, yellow, white, red
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Island of Mozambique
Political parties
Democratic Movement of Mozambique (Movimento Democratico de Mocambique) or MDM Liberation Front of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or FRELIMO Mozambican National Resistance (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana) or RENAMO
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
250 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da Republica)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
10/9/2024
expected date of next election
October 2029
percentage of women in chamber
38.3%
parties elected and seats per party
Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) (171); Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique (PODEMOS) (43); Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO) (28); Other (8)
National anthem(s)
title
“Pátria Amada” (Lovely Fatherland)
history
adopted 2002; the new anthem reflects the new multi-party political system
lyrics/music
Salomão J. MANHICA/unkown
National symbol(s)
rifle, hoe, and book
Administrative divisions
10 provinces ( provincias , singular - provincia ), 1 city ( cidade )*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 835-0245
chancery
1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone
[1] (202) 293-7147
chief of mission
Ambassador Alfredo Fabião NUVUNGA (since 19 April 2023)
email address and website
washington.dc@embamoc.gov.mz https://usa.embamoc.gov.mz/
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
Avenida Marginal 5467, Maputo
telephone
[258] (84) 095-8000
mailing address
2330 Maputo Place, Washington DC 20521-2330
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Abigail L. DRESSEL (since 11 August 2025)
email address and website
MaputaConsular@state.gov https://mz.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, CPLP, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF (observer), OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, Union Latina, UPU, WCO, WFP, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt