Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Burundi
conventional short form: Burundi
local long form: Republika y'u Burundi
local short form: Burundi

Data code BY

Government type republic

National capital Bujumbura

Administrative divisions 15 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi

Independence 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)

National holiday Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

Constitution 13 March 1992; provides for establishment of a plural political system

Legal system based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage NA years of age; universal adult

Executive branch
chief of state: President Pierre BUYOYA (interim president since 27 September 1996); note - former President NTIBANTUNGANYA was overthrown in a coup on 25 July 1996 and took refuge for 11 months in the US ambassador's residence in Bujumbura; former Major (retired) Pierre BUYOYA has not been recognized as president of Burundi by the US or most other governments
head of government: Prime Minister Pascal-Firmin NDIMIRA (since 31 July 1996)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by prime minister
elections: NA

Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (81 seats; members are popularly elected on a proportional basis to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 29 June 1993 (scheduled to be held in 1998, although no date has been set)
election results: percent of vote by party - FRODEBU 71%, UPRONA 21.4%; seats by party - FRODEBU 65, UPRONA 16; other parties won too small shares of the vote to win seats in the assembly

Judicial branch Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Political parties and leaders Unity for National Progress or UPRONA [Charles MUKASI, president]; Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Jean MINANI, president]; Socialist Party of Burundi or PSB; People's Reconciliation Party or PRP [Mathias HITIMANA, leader]; opposition parties, legalized in March 1992, include Burundi African Alliance for the Salvation or ABASA; Rally for Democracy and Economic and Social Development or RADDES [Cyrille SIGEJEJE, chairman]; and Party for National Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA, leader]

International organization participation ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Henri SIMBAKWTRA
chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Morris N. HUGHES, Jr. (27 June l996)
embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura
mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura
telephone: [257] (2) 223454
FAX: [257] (2) 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)

NOTE: The information regarding Burundi on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Burundi Government 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Burundi Government 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.