government: presidential republic

state of civil and political rights: Not free

constitution: new constitution passed by referendum 26 May 2003

legal system: based on German and Belgian law and customary norms

legislative system: bicameral Parliament consisting of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate

judicial system: Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 15 judges; normally organized into 3-judge panels); High Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and a minimum of 24 judges and organized into 5 chambers); High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; and military specialized courts

religion: Protestant 57.7% (includes Adventist 12.6%), Roman Catholic 38.2%, Muslim 2.1%, other 1% (includes traditional, Jehovah's Witness), none 1.1% (2019-20 est.)

death row:

year of last executions: 0-0-0

death sentences: 0

executions: 0