ional
Constitution which enlarged the National Assembly and created two
vice presidents

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 Pierre BUYOYA (interim president since 27
September 1996 and officially sworn in on 11 June 1998) is chief of
state and head of government and is assisted by First Vice President
Frederic BAMVUGINYUMVIRA (since NA) and Second Vice President
Mathias SINAMENYA (since NA); note--former President NTIBANTUNGANYA
was overthrown in a coup on 25 July 1996
head of government: President Pierre BUYOYA is both chief of state
and head of government; assisted by First Vice President Frederic
BAMVUGINYUMVIRA (since NA) and Second Vice President Mathias
SINAMENYA (since NA)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president
elections: NA

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee
Nationale (81 seats; note--new Transitional Constitution calls for
121 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional
basis to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 29 June 1993 (next was scheduled to be held in
1998, but suspended by presidential decree in 1996)
election results: percent of vote by party--FRODEBU 71%, UPRONA
21.4%; seats by party--FRODEBU 65, UPRONA 16; other parties won too
small shares of the vote to win seats in the assembly

Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Political parties and leaders: Unity for National Progress or
note: opposition parties, legalized in March 1992, include Burundi
African Alliance for the Salvation or ABASA; Rally for Democracy and
BAGAZA]

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, ITU,
NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas NDIKUMANA
chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Morris N. HUGHES, Jr.
embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura
mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura

Flag description: divided by a white diagonal cross into red