Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Burundi
conventional short form: Burundi
local short form: Burundi
local long form: Republika y'u Burundi
former: Urundi
Government type:
republic
Capital:
Bujumbura
Administrative divisions:
16 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke,
Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro,
Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi
Independence:
1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
Constitution:
13 March 1992; provided for establishment of a plural political
system; supplanted on 6 June 1998 by a Transitional Constitution
which enlarged the National Assembly and created two vice presidents
Legal system:
based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Domitien NDAYIZEYE (since 30 April 2003);
note - NDAYIZEYE, a Hutu, was sworn in as president for the second
half of the three-year transitional government inaugurated on 1
November 2001; Vice President Alphonse KADEGE (since 30 April 2003);
note - from the Tutsi minority
head of government: President Domitien NDAYIZEYE (since 30 April
2003); note - NDAYIZEYE, a Hutu, was sworn in as president for the
second half of the three-year transitional government inaugurated on
1 November 2001; Vice President Alphonse KADEGE (since 30 April
2003); note - from the Tutsi minority
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president
elections: NA; current president assumed power on 30 April 2003 as
part of the transitional government established by the 2000 Arusha
Accord
Legislative branch:
bicameral, consists of a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale
(expanded from 121 to approximately 140 seats under the transitional
government inaugurated 1 November 2001; members are elected by
popular vote to serve five-year terms) and a Senate (54 seats; term
length is undefined, the current senators will likely serve out the
three-year transition period)
elections: last held 29 June 1993 (next was scheduled to be held in
1998, but was suspended by presidential decree in 1996; elections
are planned to follow the completion of the three-year transitional
government)
election results: percent of vote by party - FRODEBU 71.04%, UPRONA
21.4%, other 7.56%; seats by party - FRODEBU 65, UPRONA 16,
civilians 27, other parties 13
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court; Courts of
Appeal (there are three in separate locations); Tribunals of First
Instance (17 at the province level and 123 small local tribunals)
Political parties and leaders:
the two national, mainstream, governing parties are: Unity for
National Progress or UPRONA [Alphonse KADEGE, president]; Burundi
Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Jean MINANI, president]
note: a multiparty system was introduced after 1998, included are:
Burundi African Alliance for the Salvation or ABASA [Terrence
NSANZE]; Rally for Democracy and Economic and Social Development or
RADDES [Joseph NZEYIMANA]; Party for National Redress or PARENA
[Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA]; People's Reconciliation Party or PRP
[Mathias HITIMANA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
loosely organized Hutu and Tutsi militias, often affiliated with
Hutu and Tutsi extremist parties or subordinate to government
security forces
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt
(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC,
IOM (observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Antoine NTAMOBWA
chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
FAX: [1] (202) 342-2578
telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James Howard YELLIN
embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura
mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura
telephone: [257] 223454
FAX: [257] 222926
Flag description:
divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom)
and green panels (hoist side and outer side) with a white disk
superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars
outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above,
two stars below)