eri
Independence:
1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)
Constitution:
18 June 1991
Legal system:
based on German and Belgian civil law systems and customary law; judicial
review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
Political parties and leaders:
Republican National Movement for Democracy and Development (MRND), President
HABYARIMANA's political movement, remains the dominant party; significant
independent parties include: Democratic Republican Movement (MDR), Faustin
TWAGIRAMUNGU; Liberal Party (PL), Justin MUGENZI; Democratic and Socialist
Party (PSD), Frederic NZAMURAMBAHO; Coalition for the Defense of the
Republic (CDR), Martin BUCYANA; Party for Democracy in Rwanda (PADER), Jean
NTAGUNGIRA; Christian Democratic Party (PDL), Nayinzira NEPOMUSCENE
note: formerly a one-party state, Rwanda legalized independent parties in
mid-1991; since then, at least 10 new political parties have registered
Other political or pressure groups:
since October 1990, Rwanda has been involved in a low-intensity conflict
with the Rwandan Patriotic Front/Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPF/RPA)
Suffrage:
universal adult at age NA
Elections:
President:
last held 19 December 1988 (next to be held NA December 1993); results -
President Juvenal HABYARIMANA reelected
National Development Council:
last held 19 December 1988 (next to be held NA December 1993); results -
MRND was the only party; seats - (70 total) MRND 70
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Development Council (Conseil National de Developpement)

*Rwanda, Government

Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court (consists of the Court of Cassation and the Council of
State in joint session)
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Juvenal HABYARIMANA (since 5 July 1973)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Dismas NSENGIYAREMYE (since NA April 1992)
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Aloys UWIMANA
chancery:
1714 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
(202) 232-2