Lozi (SWM)

Lozi (officially the Republic of Lozi) is a partially recognized state located in central Southern Africa. It is bordered by Zambia to the north and east, Botswana to the south, and Kavangoland (another partially recognized state) to the west. The country was set up in 1972 by the South African government as part of its policy of Separate Development (commonly known as "Apartheid") for the local Lozi people. It gained 'self-government' in 1976 and official (however, considered nominal) independence in 1997.

The United Nations and most of the world considers Lozi to be part of the Republic of South Africa, which in turn asserts Lozi's political independence. Only a number of other states afford the country recognition, including South Africa, Mozambique, and the UNITA government of Angola. Regardless of its international stance, Lozi has established a functional government and, recently in 2009, an autonomous military - the Lozi Territorial Force. Peter Mamili has been the head of state and head of government (known as the Executive Council Chairman) of Lozi since 1995, and is affiliated with the Caprivi Democratic Party (CDP), which holds most of the Executive Council seats.

Being an Apartheid homeland, the Lozi people are guaranteed political power in the country by virtue of the national constitution (the Republic of Lozi Act). Only the Lozi have franchise, even though much of the population of the country is made up of Ovambos and even some Afrikaner whites. Non-Lozi people may however join the civil service and generally have the same rights and privileges as the Lozi throughout the country.