Short facts about the government of Marshall Islands

Country name:

conventional long form:  Republic of the Marshall Islands conventional short form:  Marshall Islands former:  Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)

Government type:

constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986

Capital:

Majuro

Administrative divisions:

33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Wotho, Wotje

Independence:

21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday:

Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)

Constitution:

1 May 1979

Legal system:

based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state:  President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 3 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government:  President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 3 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet:  Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of Parliament elections:  president elected by Parliament from among its own members for a four-year term; election last held 15 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003) election results:  Kessai Hesa NOTE elected president; percent of Parliament vote - 100%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections:  last held 15 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003) election results:  percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA note:  the Council of Chiefs is a 12-member body that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; High Court

Political parties and leaders:

traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Kabua Party [Imata KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AsDB, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission:  Ambassador Banny DE BRUM chancery:  2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone:  [1] (202) 234-5414 FAX:  [1] (202) 232-3236 consulate(s) general:  Honolulu

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission:  Ambassador Joan M. PLAISTED embassy:  Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro mailing address:  P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379 telephone:  [692] 247-4011 FAX:  [692] 247-4012

Flag description:

blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes

Source: World Factbook