Flag
The national flag of the Republic of Angola was adopted in 1975, at the time of the proclamation of Independence. The National flag has two colors arranged in two horizontal bands. The upper band is red-red and the bottom of the black color represent:
Red-red – The blood shed by Angolans during colonial oppression, the struggle for national liberation and the defense of the homeland.
Black – The African continent.
In the centre is a composition consisting of a section of a sprocket, symbol of workers and industrial production, a machete, symbol of peasants, agricultural production and armed struggle and a star, symbol of international solidarity and progress.
The sprocket, the machete and the star are yellow in color, representing the riches of the country.
Badge
The insignia of the Republic of Angola consists of a section of a sprocket and a branch of corn, coffee and cotton, representing respectively the workers and industrial production, the peasants and the agricultural production.
At the base of the whole, there is an open book, symbol of education and culture and the rising sun, signifying the new country. In the center is placed a machete and a hoe, symbolizing the work and the beginning of the armed struggle. Above is the star, a symbol of international solidarity and progress.
At the bottom of the emblem is placed a golden band with the inscription “Republic of Angola”.
THE THREE ORGANS OF SOVEREIGNTY
1. EXECUTIVE
The President of the Republic is the Head of State, the holder of the Executive Power and the Commander-in-Chief of the Angolan Armed Forces. The President of the Republic exercises the executive power, assisted by a Vice-President, Ministers of State and Ministers. The President of the Republic promotes and ensures the national unity, independence and territorial integrity of the country and represents the nation at the internal and international level. The President of the Republic respects and defends the Constitution, ensures compliance with laws and international agreements and treaties, promotes and guarantees the regular functioning of state bodies.
The organization of the executive power in Angola integrates several singular and collegiate bodies that assist the Holder of the Executive Power in the exercise of his duties provided for by law. Among the Auxiliary Collegiate Bodies of the President of the Republic, the Council of Ministers and their respective Committees stand out. The Council of Ministers is the auxiliary collegiate body of the President of the Republic in the formulation, conduct and implementation of the general policy of the country and public administration. The Council of Ministers is chaired by the President of the Republic and may delegate, in his absences and temporary impediments, to the Vice-8 President of the Republic the power to preside over meetings of the Council of Ministers. In addition to the President and Vice-President of the Republic, the Council of Ministers is also composed of all Ministers of State and Ministers.
2. LEGISLATIVE
The National Assembly is the parliament of the Republic of Angola. The National Assembly is a unicameral body composed of 220 deputies, representative of all Angolans, which expresses the sovereign will of the people and exercises the legislative power of the State. The National Assembly is composed of Deputies elected under the Constitution and the law.
Members are elected by universal, free, equal, direct, secret and periodic suffrage by nationals over eighteen years of age residing in the national territory, also considering as such Angolan citizens residing abroad for reasons of service, study, illness or the like. Members are elected under the proportional representation system for a five-year term under the law.
Members are elected by constituencies, with a national constituency and constituencies corresponding to each of the 18 provinces. For the election of Members by constituencies, the following criterion is set:
- A number of one hundred and thirty Members are elected at national level, with the country being considered to be a single national constituency;
- A number of five members elected in each province, constituting a provincial constituency for this purpose.
3. JUDICIAL
The courts are the body of sovereignty with the power to administer justice on behalf of the people. In the exercise of judicial function, courts are independent and impartial and are only subject to the Constitution and the law. The superior courts of the Republic of Angola are the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the Court of Auditors and the Supreme Military Court.
The system of organisation and functioning of the Courts comprises the following:
- A common jurisdiction headed by the Supreme Court and also composed of Courts of Appeal and other courts;
- A military jurisdiction headed by the Supreme Military Court and also integrated by Military Courts of Region.
The courts guarantee and ensure compliance with the Constitution, laws and other regulatory provisions in force, the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of citizens and institutions and decide on the legality of administrative acts. The decisions of the courts are mandatory for all citizens and other legal entities and prevail over those of any other authorities. Judges are independent in the performance of their duties and must only obey the Constitution and the law.