Burundi - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Burundi, it was name derived from the pre-colonial Kingdom of Burundi (17th-19th century). The Government system in this country is the presidential republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 18 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rural, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rumonge, Rutana, Ruyigi; note- a law was passed in March 2023 reducing the number of provinces to five: Buhumuza, Bujumbura, Burunga, Butanyerera, Gitega, with full implementation by 2025.
National symbols
Lion; national colors: red, white, green.
The flag
The National flag of Burundi has 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.
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The National Anthem
| Title | "Burundi Bwacu" (Our Beloved Burundi) |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | Jean-Baptiste NTAHOKAJA/Marc BARENGAYABO |
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note: adopted 1962
More about the government of Burundi
| Date of Independence | 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | Independence Day, 1 July (1962) |
| Legal system | mixed legal system of Belgian civil law and customary law |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; withdrew from ICCt in October 2017 |
| Constitution | |
| History | Several previous, ratified by referendum 28 February 2005 |
| Amendments | Proposed by the president of the republic after consultation with the government or by absolute majority support of the membership in both houses of Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Senate membership and at least four-fifths majority vote by the National Assembly; the president can opt to submit amendment bills to a referendum; constitutional articles including those on national unity, the secularity of Burundi, its democratic form of government, and its sovereignty cannot be amended; amended 2018 (amendments extended the presidential term from 5 to 7 years, reintroduced the position of prime minister, and reduced the number of vice presidents from 2 to 1) |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | no |
| Citizenship by descent only | the father must be a citizen of Burundi |
| Dual citizenship recognized | no |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 10 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE (since 18 June 2020) |
| Head of government | Minister Gervais NDIRAKOBUCA (since 7 September 2022) |
| Cabinet | Council of Ministers appointed by president |
| Elections/appointments | president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 May 2020 (next to be held in May 2027); vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by Parliament; note - a 2018 constitutional referendum, effective for the 2020 election, increased the presidential term from 5 to 7 years with a 2-consecutive-term limit, reinstated the position of the prime minister position, and reduced the number of vice presidents from 2 to 1 |
| Election results | 2020: Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE elected president; percent of vote - Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE (CNDD-FDD) 71.5%, Agathon RWASA (CNL) 25.2%, Gaston SINDIMWO (UPRONA) 1.7%, other 1.6% 2015: Pierre NKURUNZIZA reelected president; percent of vote - Pierre NKURUNZIZA (CNDD-FDD) 69.4%, Agathon RWASA (Hope of Burundians - Amizerio y'ABARUNDI) 19%, other 11.6% |
| Legislative branch | |
| Description | Bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of: Senate or Inama Nkenguzamateka (39 seats in the July 2020 election); 36 members indirectly elected by an electoral college of provincial councils using a three-round voting system, which requires a two-thirds majority vote in the first two rounds and simple majority vote for the two leading candidates in the final round; 3 seats reserved for Twas, and 30% of all votes reserved for women; members serve 5-year terms) National Assembly or Inama Nshingamateka (123 seats in the May 2020 election; 100 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 23 co-opted members; 60% of seats allocated to Hutus and 40% to Tutsis; 3 seats reserved for Twas; 30% of total seats reserved for women; members serve 5-year terms) |
| Elections | Senate - last held on 20 July 2020 (next to be held in 2025) National Assembly - last held on 20 May 2020 (next to be held in 2025) |
| Election results | Senate - percent of vote by party - CNDD-FDD 87.2%, Twa 7.7%, CNL 2.6%, UPRONA 2.6%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 34, Twa 3, CNL 1, UPRONA 1; composition - men 23, women 16, percentage women 37.2% National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CNDD-FDD 70.9%, CNL 23.4%, UPRONA 2.5%, other (co-opted Twa) 3.2%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 86, CNL 32, Twa 3, UPRONA 2; composition - men 76, women 47, percentage women 38.2%; note - total Parliament percentage women 38% |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court (consists of 9 judges and organized into judicial, administrative, and cassation chambers); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 members) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial Service Commission, a 15-member body of judicial and legal profession officials), appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate and serve 6-year nonrenewable terms |
| Subordinate courts | Courts of Appeal; County Courts; Courts of Residence; Martial Court; Commercial Court |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Jean Bosco BAREGE (since 27 February 2024) |
| Chancery | 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 342-2574 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 342-2578 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] Burundi Embassy Washington D.C. (burundiembassy-usa.com) |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Lisa PETERSON (since 27 June 2024) |
| Embassy | No 50 Avenue Des Etats-Unis, 110-01-02, Bujumbura |
| Mailing address | 2100 Bujumbura Place, Washington DC 20521-2100 |
| Telephone | [257] 22-207-000 |
| FAX | [257] 22-222-926 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://bi.usembassy.gov/ |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Burundi
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Burundi
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