3 GeoFroggy

Country Name

Conventional long form: Republic of Burundi

Conventional short form: Burundi

Local long form: Republique du Burundi/Republika y'u Burundi

Local short form: Burundi

Former: Urundi

Administrative Divisions

18 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rural, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rumonge, Rutana, Ruyigi

Independence

1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

Constitution

Several previous; latest ratified by popular referendum 28 February 2005 (2012)

Legal System

mixed legal system of Belgian civil law and customary law

International Law Organization Participation

Has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive Branch

Chief of state: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Prosper BAZOMBAZA (since 13 February 2014); Second Vice President Gervais RUFYIKIRI (since 29 August 2010); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

Head of government: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Prosper BAZOMBAZA (since 13 February 2014); Second Vice President Gervais RUFYIKIRI (since 29 August 2010)

Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president

Elections:

Election results: Pierre NKURUNZIZA reelected president; percent of vote - Pierre NKURUNZIZA (CNDD-FDD ) 69.4%, Agathon RWASA (National Liberation Forces) 19%, other 11.6%

Legislative Branch

Description: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate (54 seats; 34 members indirectly elected by an electoral college of provincial councils using a two-thirds majority vote and 20 seats reserved for former heads of state; members serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (100 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote with a required ethnic mix of 60 percent Hutu and 40 percent Tutsi, and at least 30 percent women; members serve 5-year terms)

Elections: last held on 23 July 2010 (next to be held on 26 June 2015); note - legislative election delayed because of unrest

Election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CNDD-FDD 81.2%, UPRONA 11.6%, FRODEBU 5.9%, other 1.3%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 81, UPRONA 17, FRODEBU 5, other 3

Judicial Branch

Highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 9 judges and organized into judicial, administrative, and cassation chambers)

Judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the Judicial Service Commission, a 15-member independent body of judicial and legal profession officials); judges appointed by the president with the approval of the Senate; judge tenure NA

Subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; County Courts; Courts of Residence

Political Parties and Leaders

Party for National Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA]

Political Pressure Groups and Leaders

Observatoire de lutte contre la corruption et les malversations economiques or OLUCOME [Gabriel RUFYIRI] (anti-corruption pressure group)

Flag Description

Divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and fly 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); green symbolizes hope and optimism, white purity and peace, and red the blood shed in the struggle for independence; the three stars in the disk represent the three major ethnic groups: Hutu, Twa, Tutsi, as well as the three elements in the national motto: unity, work, progress

National Symbols

Lion; national colors: red, white, green

National Anthem

Lyrics:

Note: adopted 1962

Year

Government Type

  • Republic

Capital

  • Name
    Bujumbura
  • Geographic Coordinates
    3 22 S, 29 21 E
  • Time Difference
    UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Diplomatic Representation in the US

  • Chief Of Mission
    Ambassador Ernest NDABASHINZE (since 21 May 2014)
  • Chancery
    2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 408, Washington, DC 20007
  • Telephone
    [1] (202) 342-2574
  • FAX
    [1] (202) 342-2578

Diplomatic Representation from the US

  • Chief Of Mission
    Ambassador Dawn M. LIBERI (since 10 July 2012)
  • Embassy
    Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura
  • Mailing Address
    B. P. 1720, Bujumbura
  • Telephone
    [257] 22-207-000
  • FAX
    [257] 22-222-926

International Organization Participation

  • ACP
  • AfDB
  • AU
  • CEMAC
  • CEPGL
  • CICA
  • COMESA
  • EAC
  • FAO
  • G-77
  • IBRD
  • ICAO
  • ICCt
  • ICRM
  • IDA
  • IFAD
  • IFC
  • IFRCS
  • ILO
  • IMF
  • Interpol
  • IOC
  • IOM
  • IPU
  • ISO (correspondent)
  • ITU
  • ITUC (NGOs)
  • MIGA
  • NAM
  • OIF
  • OPCW
  • UN
  • UNAMID
  • UNCTAD
  • UNESCO
  • UNIDO
  • UNISFA
  • UNWTO
  • UPU
  • WCO
  • WHO
  • WIPO
  • WMO
  • WTO