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 Sylvestre NTIBANTUNGANYA (acting president
from 8 April 1994 to 30 September 1994, president since 1 October
1994); note - NTIBANTUNGANYA, in his capacity as President of the
National Assembly, became acting president upon the death of
President Cyprien NTARYAMIRE in an airplane crash on 6 April 1994;
NTIBANTUNGANYA was sworn in on 1 October 1994 as president by the
"Convention on Government" to serve a four year transitional term
head of government: Prime Minister Antoine NDUWAYO (since February
1995)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by prime minister

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): election last held 29 June
1993 (next to be held NA); results - FRODEBU 71%, UPRONA 21.4%;
seats - (81 total) FRODEBU 65, UPRONA 16; other parties won too
small shares of the vote to win seats in the assembly

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)

Political parties and leaders: Unity for National Progress
(UPRONA); Burundi Democratic Front (FRODEBU); Organization of the
People of Burundi (RBP); Socialist Party of Burundi (PSB); People's
Reconciliation Party (PRP); opposition parties, legalized in March
1992, include Burundi African Alliance for the Salvation (ABASA);
Rally for Democracy and Economic and Social Development (RADDES);
and Party for National Redress (PARENA)

Other political or pressure groups: 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 US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Severin NTAHOMVUKIYE
chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007