Burundi Government 1997

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 notaccept 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 July1996 and has taken refuge in the US ambassador's residence in Bujumbura; formerMajor (retired) Pierre BUYOYA has not been recognized as president of Burundiby 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; membersare popularly elected on a proportional basis to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 29 June 1993 (next to be held NA 1998)
election results: percent of vote by party - FRODEBU 71%, UPRONA 21.4%; seats by party- (81 total) FRODEBU 65, UPRONA 16; other parties won too small shares ofthe 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]; BurundiDemocratic Front or FRODEBU [Jean MINANI, president]; Organization of thePeople of Burundi or RPB [Sylvestre SINDAYIGAYA]; Socialist Party of Burundior PSB; People's Reconciliation Party or PRP [Mathias HITIMANA, leader]; oppositionparties, legalized in March 1992, include Burundi African Alliance for theSalvation or ABASA, Rally for Democracy and Economic and Social Developmentor RADDES [Cyrille SIGEJEJE, chairman], and Party for National Redress orPARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA, leader]

Political pressure groups and leaders NA

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,ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Severin NTAHOMVUKIYE
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) 23454
FAX: [257] (2) 22926

Flag description divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) andgreen panels (hoist side and outer side) with a white disk superimposed atthe center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arrangedin a triangular design (one star above, two stars below)

NOTE: The information regarding Burundi on this page is re-published from the 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Burundi Government 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Burundi Government 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.