Equitorial guinea

Polity
Government type: Republic in transition to multiparty Democracy
Administrative divisions: 7 Provinces (Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, KieNtem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas

Independence: 12 October 1968 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 12 October (1968)
Constitution: approved by national referendum 17 November 1991; emended
January 1995
Legal system: partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom
Equatorial Guinea is a one party dominant state with the Democratic Party of Equatorial
Guinea in power. Although multiple parties are permitted by the Constitution of 1991, only
one true opposition party operates openly, and there have been multiple accusations of
electoral fraud.
Political parties and leaders:
Ruling party: Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea
0pposition parties:
Larger legal minor party

Convergence for Social Democracy

Larger illegal minor parties

Movement for the Self-Determination of Bioko Island

National Democratic Union of Equatorial Guinea
Progressive Democratic Alliance
Progress Party of Equatorial Guinea
Etomba a Ndowe-Ndowe People Party

Main
Powers

Election Process

The president is both the head of state and

head of government. It has extensive
powers, including naming and dismissing
members of the cabinet. It can make laws
by decree, dissolve the chamber of
Executiv representatives, negotiate and ratify
treaties, call legislative elections, and act
e
as commander in chief of the armed
forces. The prime minister coordinates
government activities in areas other than
foreign affairs, national defense, and
security.

Judicial

Election Cycle

The president is elected through

a plurality vote. The prime
7
minister is appointed by the
years
president.

The president is in charge with his judicial

advisers (the supreme court). In
Supreme court judges and
5 year
descending rank are the appeals courts,
constitutional court members
terms
chief judges for divisions, and local
are appointed by the president.
magistrates.

The senate has 55 members

elected by plurality vote and 15
Legislative power is vested in both the
members appointed by the
Legislati government and the chamber of people's president. The house of people's 5
representatives (the lower house of the
representatives has 100
years
ve
parliament).
members elected through a
closed-list proportional
representation system.

International Relations
Foreign Policy Trends: Equatorial Guinea is an influential country in the continent of Africa
and maintains cordial relations with its neighboring countries and is also a member of the
United Nations, the African Union, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the
World Trade Organization.
Regional Trade Blocs: ECCAS

Morocco
Chief of State: King Mohammed VI
Head of Government: Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane
Constitution: Adopted: 1992; Contains a portion regarding basic principles and defines the
different aspects of government and their relationship with the monarchy.
Government Type: Constitutional Monarchy
Constitution: 10 March 1972, revised 4 September 1992, amended (to create
bicameral legislature) September 1996

Main Powers

King acts as both the secular

political leader and the
"Commander of the Faithful,"
Executiv presides over the Council of
Ministers, and appoints various
e
members of government. Prime
minister serves as the head of
government of Morocco.

Judicial

Supreme Court serves as the apex

court in Morocco.

Legislati Majlis al-Mustacharin revise the

ve
constitution, help with budgetary

Election Process

Election
Cycle

King is hereditary, prime

minister is appointed by
monarch but must be chosen Life appointment
from the largest party in
parliament.

Appointed by the monarch

upon the recommendation
Life appointment
of the Supreme Council of
the Judiciary.

Majli al-Mustacharin
Majlis almembers are elected by
Mustacharin: 6
matters, approve bills, question
indirect vote. Majli alyears; Majlis alministers, and establish ad hoc
Nuwab members are elected Nuwab: 5 years
commissions of inquiry to
by proportional
investigate the government's
representation in multiactions. The Majli al-Nuwab (lower member constituencies.

Main Powers

Election Process

Election
Cycle

chamber) may dissolve the

government through a vote of no
confidence.

International Relations
Foreign Policy Trends: Morocco is a moderate Arab state that maintains close relations with
Europe and the United States. It is a member of the UN, and in January 2012 it began a 2year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Morocco belongs to the
Arab League, Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the
Non-Aligned Movement, and the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD). King
Mohammed VI is the chairman of the OIC's Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Committee. Although not a
member of the African Union (formerly the Organization of African Unity--OAU), Morocco
remains involved in African diplomacy. It contributes consistently to UN peacekeeping
efforts on the continent.
Regional Trade Blocs: Arab League
Independence: 2 March 1956 (from France)

ECONO
MY

Ease
of
Doing
Busine
ss
Rank

Starting
a
Busines
s

Dealing
with
Construc
tion
Permits

Getting
Electrici
ty

Registerin
g
Property

Gett
ing
Cre
dit

Protectin
g
Minority
Investors

Payin
g
Taxes

Tradin
g
Across
Borde
rs

Enforci
ng
Contra
cts

Morocco

75

43

29

55

76

109

105

62

102

59

Equatori
al
Guinea

180

187

157

135

156

109

144

175

175

108

S
In