Capital: Monrovia
Administrative divisions: 13 counties; Bomi, Bong, Grand Bassa,
Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland,
Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, Sinoe
Independence: 26 July 1847
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1847)
Constitution: 6 January 1986
Legal system: dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: Chairman of the Council of
State Wilton SANKAWULO (since NA September 1995); president was to
be elected for a six-year term by universal suffrage at the end of
1995; election last held 15 October 1985 (next to be held NA August
1996); results - Samuel Kanyon DOE (NDPL) 50.9%, Jackson DOE (LAP)
26.4%, other 22.7%
note: constitutional government ended in September 1990 when
President Samuel Kanyon DOE was killed by rebel forces; civil war
ensued and in August 1995 the Abuja peace accord was signed by the
major warring factions; a transitional coalition government under
Wilton SANKAWULO was formed in September 1995; presidential
elections are scheduled for August 1996
cabinet: Cabinet was selected by the leaders of the major factions
in the civil war
Legislative branch: unicameral Transitional Legislative Assembly,
the members of which are appointed by the leaders of the major
factions in the civil war
note: the former bicameral legislature no longer exists and is
unlikely to be reconstituted soon
Judicial branch: Supreme Court